This last is a real problem. We are constantly tempted to put our trust elsewhere than God. And trusting anything besides God is idolatry. We are very prone to pile up possessions and savings and investments so that we can feel safe and secure without having to trust in God. We want to cling to that control and self-sufficiency. Savings and investments become an idol. Self becomes an idol.

Lesson? For me, it means to make a reasonable effort to be prudent and wise, setting aside some of today’s plenty for a time of less fruitfulness. And, not obsessing over market movements, techniques to squeeze more income. If my sense of safety and security tracks the economy then maybe my trust is in my idols and not my (real) God.

So, there is not a black and white answer. It is a reminder to constantly examine my heart, which is deceitful above all things, as to where my trust is and what my idols are.

When I think of places like Haiti or Africa or any other country/society ravaged by natural disasters and poverty, savings for the future becomes almost an after thought. The priority is for survival and staying alive one day at a time, which means giving all you have to the current situation.

If we were in their situation, would we be any different?

I think we as Americans being born into this country have been given much, we are comfortable, and we have security that a large percent of the world does not know about. What does it mean for Christians? Are we called to give it all away?

In a sense, yes. Why should Christians in America be any different than Christians in Haiti? Paul says as Christians, we are one body, we rejoice with those that rejoice, and we mourn with those that mourn (1 cor).

We are one body and being one body means we have to give up being “independent” to being “interdependent.” What does that mean concerning 401k? I think if you look at the early church, the Christians shared all they had. Poor and rich shared, lazy were exhorted to work (1 thess), rich asked to share and not look down on poor (james).

Sure we save, but we also recognize that this money is not ours, our retirement money is not for me to spend on myself, it is God who gave it to us and God who requires it of us. All money we have is God’s money and we are to be stewards of it. It is not about the 10% we give away every week that makes us faithful, it is the LARGE AMOUNT we spend on ourselves and not towards Kingdom Work that we need to repent of. We have been given a great blessing being born in America… but that blessing requires faithfulness to be a blessing to others.

This actually brings up another point most Christians rarely talk about – was Jesus rich? His family received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh which would have been very valuable. As a carpenter, Joseph would most likely have more income than the normal subsistence farmer of the day. And Judas carried the groups money – so they didn’t just trust in God to provide for them wherever they went. Jesus could have just performed a miracle to feed and clothe the disciples but apart from feeding the masses that is never mentioned. And don’t forget that Abraham, Lot, Joseph, and many other people in the bible who were favored of by God were very wealthy.

The advice of others here makes sense: pray on it and LISTEN for an answer. God talks to everyone, but it is up to us to listen. What is right for one person may not be right for everyone else. If we were all life-saving brain surgeons, who would fix the cars?

Imagine being able to volunteer full time in your 60s and 70s! One won’t be able to do that if the means to provide for oneself hasn’t been thoughtfully and prayerfully planned for.

That being said, there is likely more than one answer to this challenging question!

Encourage the pastor to review Matthew 25:14-30 – the parable of the Talents. Most of us will be familar with this passage … v21″His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

The pastor does peak my interest a little. Does he know ANYONE who purposely didn’t save for the future and gave all of their money to the ‘less fortunate’ at HIS church?

but at the same time, saving up for retirement is being prudent and wise with God’s money (as mentioned in the comment with proverbs 21:20). once you retire, that retirement money you saved up can still be used for God’s glory…it’s money that will keep you from going into debt as a retiree and money that can be used to further God’s kingdom (via tithing, etc.).

God uses different people for different purposes and all for His glory.

I think that some consideration must be given to what is being done with the money that would otherwise go towards retirement — is it being used to fund good projects or is it going to travel and big screen TVs? If we have money “to spare” and squander it, then I don’t think we can expect God to shower more resources on it in our old age. On the other hand, if prudent planning allows us the leisure in our old age to continue to praise God and build the kingdom, then that doesn’t seem like a bad thing to do.