· By Mr. Sim · ~2 min read
Retiring Well in South Africa: A Christian's Guide to the Pension, the Property, and the Years That Remain
Retiring Well in South Africa: A Christian's Guide to the Pension, the Property, and the Years That Remain
The Scene
The man in Roodepoort turns sixty-five this year. The pension is R2.4 million. The financial advisor has done the math. The math is not encouraging.
Matthew 6:26 — *"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"*
The South African Christian in the situations described above is not alone. The Bible has been speaking to these situations for two thousand years. The Wednesday Bible study in Parkmore has been hearing these passages read, discussed, and applied for ten years. What follows is a distillation of what the Bible says and what we have learned from the journey.
What the Bible Says About Aging
The Bible has a high view of aging. The older years are the years of wisdom, of fruitfulness, of testimony. Psalm 92:12-14: 'The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.'
The Biblical View of Provision
The Bible does not promise the South African pension will be sufficient. The Bible does promise that God will provide. Matthew 6:26: 'Look at the birds of the air.'
Practical Steps for the Pre-Retirement Years
Get professional financial advice early. Pay off the bond if possible. Plan for healthcare costs. Have the honest conversation with the family. Plan for purpose.
Purpose in the Retirement Years
Titus 2:3-5 says older men and women are to teach what is good. The retirement years are not the years of rest from ministry. They are the years of a different kind of ministry.
A Prayer for the Retirement Years
Father, we pray for those who are entering the retirement years with fear rather than hope. We ask for the financial wisdom to prepare well. We ask for the spiritual wisdom to prepare the heart. Amen.
A Closing Prayer
Father, we bring this struggle to you. We ask for your wisdom, your strength, and your presence. We ask for the community to hold us. We ask for the hope that does not disappoint. Amen.
*Johannesburg Bible Study Church meets online every Wednesday at 7:30pm for a Bible study that is intentionally local and biblically grounded. The Bible study is free, open to anyone, and free to join or to leave. Call Mr. Sim on +27 77 487 1295 or Ms. Dora on +27 67 442 4461.*
Community notes
From people who have shown up.
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Naledi P.
Parkmore
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I attended my first Sunday picnic with my family. The vibe was warm without being overwhelming. The kids ran around Mushroom Farm Park, the adults talked, and someone brought extra blankets for the cool afternoon.
Johan v.d.M.
Sandton
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The Korean class has become our family Sunday ritual. My wife and I take the class, the kids play. It is the only Sunday we look forward to in the month.