ACHIEVING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
Western culture has convinced many of us that life is about doing the minimal amount of work and spend the most amount of time pursuing pleasure. This shallow view of the world, usually always disappoints. God created us to work, indeed he worked himself, and then rested on the seventh day! We were built to work and to find fulfilment with our work. If you hate your work, change it. That may not be possible tomorrow, but work towards moving into what you love.
REPLACE THE WORD “RETIREMENT”
WITH
“FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE”
(not independent of God)
As Christians we should aim to be financial independent in the sense that we should plan our finances to avoid being dependent on the Government, and to avoid being a burden on our families. God created the family unit so that we would support each other. However ideally this doesn’t mean putting unnecessary burdens on future generations, which is why I find most Government debt deeply immoral. Politicians care little about future generations.
In wealthy countries people demand a lot from Government, especially in the area of provision of retirement income. Given most Western Governments are broke and are massively in debt it would be unwise to presume that they will provide a satisfactory income in your retirement.
Just a further caution in reference to the words ‘financial independence’. Man’s greatest sin is his desire to live independent of God and live under self-rule. As Christians, we are called to be completely dependent on God for the provision of our needs. When I use the term financial independence, I am merely suggesting that Christian aim to build enough capital to meet their living expenses when they choose to seek paid employment.