Working Through a Situation of Bible Vs. Culture.

This week, we’ve been wrestling with the question, “Is Retirement Biblical?“

The short answer is we don’t really know. With the concept of retirement, the Bible and culture don’t really match up.

Biblically, in Old Testament law and tradition, the Elderly should be cared for. Moreover, children (specifically sons) should care for their parents in their old age. New Testament instruction seems to align with these principles, where possible.

Fast-forward to 2016; in our culture, this is definitely not the case! Many parents seem to be caring for their adult children financially. Another cultural trend is that we see more and more grandparents becoming the primary care-giver for their grand children.

If this is convicting for anyone in their 20’s or 30’s, that’s not a bad thing. Go with it!

But let’s put these cultural trends aside for a moment, and check out the first retirees, found way back in the Pentateuch!

Looking At Levitical Priests (Num. 8:23-26)

When we search the Scriptures for the word “retire, retired or retirement” we find one bit of practical evidence:

“23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 ‘This applies to the Levites: men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their usual duties and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.’” (NIV)

And here’s a snapshot from a second translation: “25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. 26 They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service…” (ESV)

There can be a temptation to read this passage, and stop at verse 25 and say to ourselves, “There you have it, at age 50 I need to stop working!“

But verse 26 holds the key to retirement:

They “…assist their brothers…” (Vs. 26 – NIV)

They “…minister to their brothers…” (Vs. 26 – ESV)

Imagine for a moment…

There’s a 25-year-old priest, on his first day headed to the tent of meeting. He’s been trained for this moment but he’s nervous. As he enters that tent early in the morning, he’s greeted by a number of older priests.

Perhaps they pray for him, give him words of encouragement or give him some form of guidance. They’ve done their time. They’ve done the heavy lifting of spiritual leadership. So now they can build up this young man.

Now imagine the end of the day.

The young priest feels the weight of that spiritual service. He has interceded between God and the People of Israel. As he exits, the older priests are there again.

That’s beautiful! That’s retirement! Investing in the next generation!

At age 50, these Levites didn’t just abandon the community they have lived and served with for the past 25 years of their life. The role just changed.

They went from ministering to the people, to ministering to the younger priests. Their load was lightened, so that they could lift up those who now carry that heavy load.

Check out what Theologian, Matthew Henry had to say.

“They shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle, to direct the junior Levites, and set them in; and they shall keep the charge, as guards upon the avenues of the tabernacle, to see that no stranger intruded, nor any person in his uncleanness, but they shall not be put upon any service which may be a fatigue to them. If God’s grace provide that men shall have ability according to their work, man’s prudence should take care that men have work only according to their ability.” (M. Henry’s Commentary)

So What’s the Point?

I believe this passage can cross over into any aspect of life, but specifically in the life of the church.

I’m not talking about retiring from service at a specific age of 50 or 55, or even 95. The age doesn’t matter. However, I firmly believe that older generations can and should be investing in younger generations, encouraging them, praying for them, guiding them.

There should be an encouragement for the 25, 35 and 45 year olds to step up into service. But there needs to be place for them! Older generations shouldn’t walk away from service altogether, but like the Levitical Priests, their roles may change.

All of a sudden, mentorship, discipleship and investment in the future take a higher priority.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

Could you see the Numbers 8 retirement plan working in the church today? If not, describe how it could or should work?