Retirement at 50? by Bryan Craig

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting.  And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

Numbers 8:23-26 ESV

I’m reading through the whole Bible chronologically for the 3 rd time, using a special Bible that orders everything in order in which they happened. It’s a fascinating way to read the Bible and really helps to put things in historical context. But for any of you who have read the whole Bible, you know that you find yourself in places in Scripture that you don’t normally read… like the Book of Numbers. But I love it, for I believe “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

There is ALWAYS something to be learned as I read Scripture, even in the most obscure texts. Years ago, when I was reading my chronological Bible, I remember reading something which seemed to speak to the idea of “retirement age.” I referenced this to someone later, but when they asked me where it was, I could not find it. Recently, as I was re-reading, I found it! It was in Numbers 8. God was being very specific in his instruction to the tribes of Israel, mainly to the Tribe of Levi, who were to perform the duties in the Tabernacle. As He is outlining their many duties, he mentions that men aged 25 to 50 were to serve. When a man turns 50, he is to do NO SERVICE. This sounds like retirement to me.

Since I am in my 50’s this jumped out at me. I’ve watched many of my contemporaries who have been financially successful have the ability to stop working in their 50’s. When I bought the small business from my Father-in-law, he was retiring at age 55. I’ve noticed a few things in all these cases.

• Men seem excited to travel and do many things they felt like they didn’t have time for while working. (Fishing, Golf, Camping, RV’ing)
• Many wives of these men are not really sure they like their husbands being home, disrupting their rhythms.
• Many men don’t like all the people trying to fill their time for them by inviting them to all sorts of forms of service opportunities.
• Within the first year of “retirement,” most men are disillusioned and a bit lost, trying to figure out what’s missing.
• Many go back to work in some form.
• Most are still searching for this idea of “Finishing Well.”

At the same time I was reading this passage in Numbers, I was also going through a book study of a book made famous in the 90’s, “Half Time” by Bob Buford. Bob was a successful businessman who was also a strong Christian. In his 40’s when he felt like he’s made enough money, he started pondering God’s will for his life. “Did he need to leave the workplace and go into full-time ministry?” After wrestling with his purpose, he determined that God wanted him to stay in the marketplace, where he had great influence, and start focusing on “significance” rather than “success.” I didn’t think I would like the book, since my story is not Bob’s story, but nevertheless, I really liked it. It makes you think about your Gifts, your Passions and the Needs around you, much like Sach Oliver’s Passions/Awesomeness/Needs analysis. (Listen to Sach’s talk from the Summit if you haven’t yet.)

So, back to the Numbers 8 passage. I noticed something very important. God did not tell these men who turned 50 to sit back and take it easy the rest of their lives. He told them to do 2 things:

1. Minister to younger brothers.
2. Keep Guard.

Minister to younger brothers

I believe a big missing ingredient in business and also in ministry is mentorship. Many men and women, by the age of 50, have learned a lot about life and have mastered some skills in their professions. Many look at the 50’s as maximum income-earning years, so they look to make more money, rather than pouring into others or looking to use their resources for Kingdom impact. In our ministry, we have many men, 50 and up, who have led many Journey groups and even led Regions and Boards. We should be looking for opportunities to minister to the younger brothers. I’ve always noted that as Jesus formed His first “Journey Group” of the 12 disciples, He spent lots of extra time with Peter, James and John. I think we “older” men should ask God who are 3 men (our Peter, James and John) who we might mentor. Some may take a break from guiding Journey groups to focus on this Mentor piece, mentoring younger Journey Guides.

Years ago, a young man spoke a word to me that I would be a spiritual father to many men. At the time, even though I was in my 50’s, I didn’t feel worthy, old enough, wise enough, to be a spiritual father to anyone. That’s when God showed me I had an “Orphan Spirit” and that once I learned I was a son of God, He would make me a spiritual father to others.

Keep Guard

I believe men and women over 50 have been tried and tested and are more aware of the devil’s schemes and also of the temptations that befall men. I believe God would have us become “watchmen on the wall” (see Isaiah 62:6-7) To me, this is in line with Paul’s instruction for the church to appoint “Elders”. Even the word “Elder” denotes men who are older in age, but also those who carry respect, wisdom and life experience.

Paul speaks to older men and women in the church, saying:

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.    Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,  and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:2-8 ESV

Yes, God want us who are “older” to be role models and to speak to the younger generation behind us.

So, if you are a man or woman 50 plus in years, let’s pay attention. Seek the Lord and ask:

• Are we still working and grinding, trying to earn status, wealth, love?
• Are we retiring to a life of self-indulgence and worldly pursuits?
• Are we using our gifts, talents, experience to help the next generation?
• Do we have 3 younger people we are mentoring?

The body of Christ needs spiritual Fathers and Mothers, including Influencers Global Ministries. There are countless opportunities.