Retirement?

Money.com, discussing the best places to retire, lists six cities that "have it all: vitality, great quality of life, affordable housing, and plenty to see and do." The six are Eugene, Ore.; Tucson, Ariz.; Escondido, Calif.; Oxford, Miss.; Hanover, N.H.; and Edisto and Seabrook Islands, S.C. ("Retire to your very own island resort steeped in an atmosphere of warm Southern charm.")

Warm Southern charm is great, but is retirement a biblical notion? The last verse of Psalm 90 is, "Establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands," and that means (as the Bible repeatedly states) that hands should be busy. Those who remember the chief end of man-"to glorify God and enjoy Him forever"-still want to have retirement savings for use in the years when they may not have the strength to work full-time or even part-time, or when they may want to be full-time volunteers. But the goal of spending every day on the golf course is a nonbiblical one.

A biblical list of best places for "retirement" might start with cities like Tulsa, Okla., where retired doctors can volunteer for inner-city health care as part of the Christian Action Network program. The list might also include more exotic places such as Peru. ("Dangerous territory for missionaries, but enormous opportunity to communicate the gospel.") "Retirement" into church leadership is also important. Churches that have elders may fall behind if elders have terrific jobs that require lots of hours; it's great to have elderly elders with ample time for ministry.