The U. S. Census Bureau reports that the median net worth in 2015 for an American at retirement was only $43,921 (excluding housing). That means 50% of Americans had more than $43,921 at retirement in 2015 and 50% had less. Unfortunately, $44,000 is not even close to what is needed to retire on. In addition, Social Security is strained to the point of collapse while at the same time Americans are living longer, having fewer children and experiencing the deleterious effects of family breakdown.
Consequently, many Americans will need to rely on their children to sustain them in their old age. But while most cultures have historically depended on this method for the care of their elderly, American culture, with its independent, self reliant, (and some would say selfish) ethic, has not. Our increasingly individualistic culture has succeeded in isolating the elderly from the rest of society. As the old saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
Fortunately, Christians have a natural advantage when it comes to retirement and preparing our children to care for us. Here’s why.
We naturally think about the future and prepare for it.
Christianity is by definition future oriented. We know that someday we will stand before God and give an account of what we have done in this life. And in preparation for that day, we have placed our faith in Christ, God’s provision for our sin, because we know we have fallen short of God’s holy and just requirements.
This preparation for the afterlife applies to the end of life as well. In a sense, retirement is also a “judgment” we need to prepare for.
We believe in hard work and living within our means.
“Every man must bear his own load,” Galatians 6:5 tells us. We do not want to be a burden to others, but are willing to bear the burden of others.
We teach our children to care for their parents by example.
We care for our own parents in our homes as an example to our children of how we want them to treat us when we are old. My own mother cared for both of her own parents in our home, as well as for her father-in-law. Her example lives with me to this day.
We have clear Biblical guidance on the subject of caring for the elderly.
The Bible could not be more clear or forceful about the need and importance of caring for our own. “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). The last act Jesus did before he died was to secure the care of his mother (John 19:25-27).
We rest secure in the knowledge that God knows our needs and will provide for us.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God takes special interest in the needs of widows and others. “He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked” (Deuteronomy 10:18).
We have the church as our ultimate safety net.
Almost every church I know of has some form of benevolence committee. In addition, New Commandment Men’s Ministries is helping churches address the needs of their widowed and single parents. Once again we are seeing churches step up to the plate and assume this important responsibility. All they need is a little guidance.
What are your thoughts about retirement? Are you prepared? Will your children help you if you need them to? What has been your experience in helping your parents? Is your church ready to help support the elderly poor in your congregation?
This post originally appeared in NewCommandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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