Is it a sin to retire?

Isn’t this a silly question? Is there anyone out truly arguing it is a sin to retire? Yes, and no. As is always the case, it is vitally important to define our terms. No one, I suspect, would argue that one has an obligation to work a 9-5 job for a paycheck until the day you die. That said, I trust no one would deny that the fourth commandment says we are to work six days and rest one. If by “retirement” we mean spending our last days indulging ourselves, living a perpetual vacation, then maybe we’d better slow down long enough to ask if it’s a sin.

The fourth commandment cannot be taken so woodenly to forbid a vacation. We know this not because we want vacations but because God commanded them in establishing the feasts. That said, neither should it be so gutted as to say, “Six days shalt thou labor until you have accumulated enough cash to ride out your days in comfort.” Somewhere in between I suspect we’d end up here- there’s not a thing wrong with quitting your day-to-day job, even to taking it easier. Productivity, the work of manifesting the reign of Christ over all things, however, should never cease until we enter into our rest.

“Retirement” can be a wonderful time in a man’s life where he can turn his attention to things that matter but that don’t typically put bread on the table. He can rid himself of the pressures of deadlines, invest in relationships, teach younger men, serve. He can preach the good news in the darkest corners of his community. He can build relationships on the golf course, the softball field or the local community college. He can fix the cars or mow the lawn of widows. He can lead a Sunday school class.

I don’t pretend to know if there is a line that separates taking it easier and failing to labor for six days. I don’t need to as I’m not standing in judgment on any man with respect to how he spends the days the Lord has given Him. I’m not the master here. I do know, as I get older, that I am increasingly drawn to ease and need to be on my guard. I know, on the other hand, that I have my own propensity to fence the law of God, adding burdens the Lord has not given.

My hope is that thinking about not working would give us a better understanding of our call to work. Whether we are marketing widgets, giving investment advice, preaching or teaching, we are all to be busy bringing all things under subjection. That labor we do not rest from until the fullness of rest comes, until the Master says to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward.” That will be a good day, because of Jesus. It is, after all, His reward that we enter into. Work well. Rest well.