Rethinking Retirement
Galatians 2:20
Introduction
- Norman Cousins' quote on retirement
- Description of retirement as a modern social phenomenon
Critical Insights of Retirement
- Concept of Retirement
- Historical background: Bismarck’s introduction of retirement age in 1889
- The U.S. Social Security Act of 1935
- Context
- Contrast with Judeo-Christian principles
- Historical perspective on poverty and government aid
- Conditions Today
- Average retirement age and financial comfort
- Health and functionality of retirees
- Correctives
- Self-Determination
- Importance of maintaining purpose and self-control
- Tim Stafford’s view on biblical old age
- Jettisoning the Secular Concept
- Biblical perspective on lifelong purpose
- Examples of fulfilling retirement through ministry
- Exercising a Virile Faith
- Trust in God’s sovereignty and purpose
- Apostle Paul’s proclamation in Galatians 2:20
- Self-Determination
Critical Issues of Retirement
- Finances
- Importance of financial planning
- Ron Blue’s four basic principles: set goals, follow a spending plan, avoid debt, increase giving
- Physical Health
- Maintenance of health and preventive care
- American Medical Association’s stance on diseases among the aged
- Living Arrangements
- Challenges of housing and family responsibility
- Importance of planning housing in advance
- Purpose and Meaning in Life
- Addressing the need for purpose post-retirement
- Emphasis on retiring to something, not from something
- Characteristics of successful people in retirement
Conclusion
- Emphasis on living by faith
- Encouragement to maintain purpose and contribution throughout life
- Final thoughts on the importance of an active and fulfilling retirement
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
