What Shoud I Do with My Retirement?
- Neil Chacko, CFP®, CKA®
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
A Biblical Guide to Finding God’s Purpose After Work
For many people, retirement is viewed as the finish line—a season of relaxation, travel, golf, and freedom from work. After decades of faithful labor, those things can certainly be wonderful blessings from God. But for Christians, retirement is not simply about stopping work; it is about faithfully stewarding the next season of life.
If you're planning to retire within the next one to two years, the most important question isn't, "Can I afford to retire?" but, rather, "What is God calling me to do next?"
Financial readiness matters. As a financial advisor that specializes in retirement planning, I spend much of my time helping clients determine whether their savings can support the lifestyle they desire. But once that question has been answered, an even more important one remains: How will you use the time, talents, wisdom, and resources God has entrusted to you in this next chapter?
A Biblical View of Retirement
Interestingly, the Bible never presents retirement as withdrawing into a life of leisure. While the Old Testament instructed Levites to transition from the physically demanding work of serving in the tabernacle after age fifty (Numbers 8:23-26), they did not cease contributing altogether. Instead, they shifted into mentoring and supporting the next generation.
Scripture consistently teaches that our purpose does not end with a career.
Psalm 92:14 says:
"They will still bear fruit in old age; healthy and green, they will remain."
Likewise, Paul reminds believers:
"For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
Notice that God's good works do not come with an expiration date. Retirement may change how we serve, but it should never eliminate why we serve.
Retirement Is a Transition, Not an Exit
Jeff Haanen captures this idea beautifully in his book An Uncommon Guide to Retirement. Rather than viewing retirement as an escape from work, Haanen encourages Christians to see it as a transition from one calling into another. He argues that our vocational identity should never replace our identity in Christ and that the years after full-time employment may become some of our most meaningful years of kingdom impact.
Similarly, Bob Buford's classic book Halftime challenges successful professionals to move from a life focused on achievement toward one centered on significance. Buford suggests that life's second half is an opportunity to leverage accumulated experience, relationships, influence, and financial resources to make an eternal difference.
These two books complement one another well. Haanen reminds us that God continues calling us throughout every stage of life, while Buford encourages us to redefine success around lasting significance rather than personal accomplishment.
Both authors challenge retirees to ask "How can God best use me now?"
Practical Steps Before You Retire
If retirement is only a year or two away, don't wait until your final day of work to figure out what comes next. Begin preparing now.
1. Pray intentionally for God's direction.
Instead of merely asking God to bless your retirement, ask Him to reveal His purpose for it.
James 1:5 promises that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask Him. Spend regular time praying specifically about how He wants to use your gifts, experiences, and availability in the years ahead.
If you are able, consider taking a sabbatical of 30 days or more. Spend this time in prayer and journaling, ideally alone, asking God what He would want you to do in this next phase of life.
2. Separate your identity from your career.
Many people unknowingly allow their occupation to define them.
If someone asks, "Who are you?" and your first response is your job title, retirement can feel like losing part of your identity.
Your identity has always been found in Christ—not your profession.
Spend time reflecting on who God says you are before determining what you'll do next.
3. Inventory your gifts and experiences.
Retirement doesn't erase decades of knowledge.
Ask yourself:
What skills has God developed in me?
What life experiences could benefit others?
What burdens has God consistently placed on my heart?
What opportunities has He repeatedly brought into my life?
Very often, your future ministry grows naturally out of your past experiences.
4. Talk with people who know you well.
Seek counsel from your spouse, trusted friends, pastors, and mature believers.
Others often recognize spiritual gifts and opportunities that we overlook in ourselves.
Proverbs 15:22 reminds us:
"Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
5. Experiment before retiring.
If possible, begin serving now.
Volunteer with a local ministry. Mentor younger professionals. Teach a Bible study. Serve on a nonprofit board. Explore mission opportunities. Tutor students. Help young couples with financial stewardship.
Think of these experiences as "retirement internships." They allow you to discover where your passions and gifts intersect with God's opportunities before leaving your career.
6. Develop a retirement purpose statement.
Most people create a retirement budget. Far fewer create a retirement mission statement.
Consider writing a brief statement answering questions like:
How do I want to glorify God during retirement?
Who am I called to invest in?
What legacy do I hope to leave?
What priorities will guide my decisions?
Having a written purpose can become a valuable compass whenever new opportunities arise.
Financial Freedom Creates Kingdom Opportunity
One of the greatest blessings of wise financial planning is that it creates flexibility to serve.
That might involve mentoring younger believers, serving your church, supporting missionaries, caring for grandchildren, volunteering with local ministries, or simply becoming more available to people who need encouragement.
Your retirement savings are not merely intended to fund leisure—they can help fund faithfulness.
The Beginning of a New Calling
Retirement is one of the greatest opportunities God may ever give you—not simply because you’ll have more freedom, but because you’ll have more freedom to say “yes” to what matters most.
After years of accumulating experience, wisdom, and financial resources, retirement offers a unique opportunity to invest those blessings in ways that can have eternal significance.
If you are within a year or two of retirement, begin preparing your heart as diligently as you’ve prepared your portfolio. Pray consistently, invite trusted believers to speak into your life. Read scripture with fresh eyes and explore opportunities to serve before you retire.
We would be honored to help you prepare for both the financial and practical decisions that lie ahead so you can enter retirement with confidence and purpose. Book a complimentary call with us today by clicking the scheduling link below:
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