Over recent years, many people have been offered a good package to tempt them into early retirement. Nigel Faithfull gives some biblical directions for those in this position.
Having talked to a few believers who have already taken this step, the worst suggestion implied in some remarks is that early retirement means one has stopped working, and the remainder of life is to be spent sunbathing on the patio, spending winters at Benidorm, doing armchair gardening with Alan Titchmarsh, and going to bed shortly after The Archers! What should the Christian view be?
Guidance from the start
Let's regress for a moment, and return to when we were approaching the end of our time at school, university, or other training. We then consulted with a careers adviser concerning the most appropriate course of further education or about the job that would best suit our abilities and aspirations. As Christians, we prayed about these matters, and sought to know God's will. God's providence and guidance were of paramount importance to us at that time, and perhaps at times of further career changes. Our careers probably progressed, and we assumed a position of higher responsibility, both in our jobs and the local church. But now, after 30 years or so, we may find ourselves at this new juncture in our lives. So how can this come about?
