Ok. Now that I've retired and an old age of 58 and have been retired for four years....Show me scripture that says as a born again Christian its scriptural for me to work for a living, instead of working so I have something to give.....
Why do I put this up? Today I feel worthless because I am not working. I've grown up learning that a man who does not work is little more than a parasite... Go figure!! :shock:
Some 17 years ago, the Japanese newspaper
Asahi Shimbun noted that an increasing number of retiring Japanese office workers were suffering from symptoms ranging from stomachache to paralysis. As retirement approached, these workaholics lost influence at work and were treated as nuisances at home by the families they have neglected. “Although they get depressed, they try to hide it by acting cheerfully. Soon symptoms such as stomachache set in.”
Checkups revealed nothing wrong physically. Dr. Tooru Sekiya, who named these symptoms “masked depression before retirement,” said of the typical patient: “He pampers himself by thinking the only way to be accepted would be to get sick, and this naturally leads to a variety of symptoms.” What can be done ? “Find values in something other than work, such as a hobby,” counseled Dr.Takashi Sumioka, who treated many such patients in Tokyo, and “make it a habit to cherish your family all the time.”
Accepting early retirement may have certain advantages, but it can also take a heavy emotional toll. Brazil’s
Diário de Pernambuco reported in the year 2000 that former public employees complained of problems ranging from ‘dissatisfaction, irritability, insecurity, and loss of identity to depression and the feeling that their world was falling apart.’ According to geriatrician Guido Schachnik, “it is not uncommon for men who retire early to seek refuge in drink or for women to become dependent on medicine.” Those thinking of leaving their job should “avoid debt, recycle skills, and seek advice to escape falling into a bottomless pit,” says psychologist Graça Santos.
Retirement from a job does not mean that a person has quit "working." Life was not meant to be just working for a living, for Jesus said to "work, not for the food that perishes, but for the food that remains for life everlasting."(John 6:27) Upon retirement, many use their time and resources now to help individuals to know "the only true God", Jehovah.(John 17:3; Ps 83:18)
In addition, these can delve into a deeper study of the Bible, of how the earth is harmonious ecologically, and examine the universe to gain a more profound understanding of our Creator's handiwork, thus applying Romans 12:2, to "prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Those who become spiritual “brothers” of Jesus Christ and footstep followers of his are termed “a royal priesthood.” (Heb 2:10-12; 1 Pet 2:9) For these, there is no provision for retirement. The apostle Paul was active in his ministry while in prison and continued steady ministerial activity until he was put to death. (Acts 28:30, 31; 2 Tim 4:6, 7) Peter was active to the end of his life. (2 Pet 1:13-15) John wrote his Gospel and three canonical letters at an extremely old age, in about 98 C.E.
The “great crowd,” who were seen by John after the vision of the 144,000 “sealed” ones, are said to be “rendering [God] sacred service day and night,” or continually. There is therefore no retirement from God’s service for any Christian.(Rev 7:4, 9, 15)
