Nowhere in the Bible does it mention we should stop working. This doesn't mean that you need to work until you die, but that the type of work you will do later in life is different. Retirement is not a Biblical concept, but a cultural concept.

If the Lord gives you breath, it is because He still has work for you to do.

What does the Bible have to say about retirement from work? The answer is: nothing. In fact, it appears the Bible never suggests anyone ought to stop working.

Now we have moved into a new season in our lives, God still expects us to grow, use our gifts, talents, resources and influence for His glory; and the work that He is doing in the world. In fact retirement is not biblical. The only biblical reference to retirement is in Numbers 8:24-26

“This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more. They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties.”

For over 35 years our family, ministry and work life has always been about stewarding the talents, time and treasures that God had given us for the service of others, for that season. We have always been tent makers, running businesses, working jobs while we worked full time serving and stewarding our assignments for His Glory.

We will never retire from growing in grace and maturity and never retire from serving God and others.

• 2 Timothy 2:1-2 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

• Psalm 92:14 “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,”

• Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days. That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

The Lord Himself uses whatever is in our hands.

• Exodus 4:1-2 Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say “The Lord has not appeared to you.” So the Lord said to him, “What is that you have in your hand?” And he said, “A rod.”

The Lord used the rod which was in Moses' hand.

What do we have in our hands?

• We have each other and we have a loving family.

• We have a deep love for our Lord.

• We have a home church.

• We are members of the largest marketplace ministry on the planet.

• We have strong connections with pastors, ministry and marketplace leaders, as well as politicians.

• We are both in excellent health.

• We have a strong background in both ministry and business.

• The Bible is clear that we will never retire from serving God through our vocational calling.

What else do we have in our hands?

1 Samuel 17:40 “Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself 5 smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.“

The Lord Himself has shown us examples of those in their older years -

• In Titus 2, Paul instructed the older men and women to teach younger people how to behave through their example.

• Daniel was probably in his eighties when he was thrown in the lion’s den. He obeyed.

• Moses was eighty years old when he went to Pharaoh and asked for the freedom of the Israelite slaves and he continued working until he died at the age of 120.

• John the Apostle served and wrote into his nineties.

What else do we find in scripture regarding using whatever is in our hands? Let's see what God can do with what someone else has in their hands.

• John 6:8-14 … One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.”Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, numbering about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

• Can you see the potential of what we have in our hands? We are absolutely blessed therefore we have the responsibility and obligation to steward well what is in our hands.