Don’t Retire from God’s Work

By Dean Collins

There are a lot of misconceptions about retirement. A little over a year ago, I officially “retired” from my role as president of Point University. I had a long run of 20 years in that role, and about two years before I stepped down from the presidency, I told the board that it was time for new leadership. I had plenty of gas in the tank, but I believed there were talented and younger leaders who were ready and able, and that the board needed to pray, search, and find one of them. They chose a good one in President Stacy Bartlett.

Many of my acquaintances thought that my retirement from the presidency meant I was retiring altogether, which I did not do. I now have at least three jobs! And I get paid for two of them.

Over the years, I have taught that there is nothing in the Bible that teaches Christ followers to retire. No matter our age, we are part of a community of ambassadors who are actively serving in the ever-expanding kingdom of God as we daily seek the will of God to be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven.

So whatever your age, you are involved in building. Psalm 127 opens with this line: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” In other words, whatever we are building has limited or little value unless God is involved and leading the project. You might be building a family, a résumé, a career, a new business, or a church, but unless God is at the center, the end of the project will have limited results. But with God, the reach of your building project is vast and extends even into eternity.

In this short psalm, we read that God is involved in our work, our rest and sleep, and our families. Every area of life is better when it is rooted in the purposes of the Almighty. This doesn’t mean that if a nonbeliever builds a house it will fall over. It doesn’t mean that if you are a believer you will never have a stressful night. And it certainly doesn’t mean that if you don’t have children, you don’t have God’s blessing.

When we read Scripture, we must be careful not to base our understanding on just one verse or one passage. We must seek to understand God’s Word and his work through the whole narrative of Scripture—from creation through new creation—including the work of Jesus, his return, and the restoration of all things when heaven comes to earth.

God is always working, and he invites us to join him in building, even until our last breath on this side of eternity.

Yes, there will be a day when we will not have the strength to swing a hammer and build a house. But we can always be building the inner life of faith and expanding the wisdom of God, which we are to share with the next generation.

So whatever your age, don’t quit! Don’t retire and say it’s the next generation’s turn. Instead, ask God to show you where and how you might join him in building and expanding his kingdom—even today.

Father, forgive us for thinking that we are ever to quit working in your harvest field. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us wisdom to do your work even today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 127:1–5 ESV

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