Another Question about 401k and saving for retirement
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:53 pm
Schoel's post about 401ks and saving for retirement got me thinking about a question that I have had for a while. I decided to post a new topic as I don't want to hijack his thread.
This question is specifically for those who do not believe in 401ks or saving for retirement. I would like your insight into this question as I am currently trying to think through this issue in a Biblical manner.
I currently do have a 401k through my work. I am certainly willing to not save anything for retirement if I felt that was the most Biblical idea. My opinion on this has gone from initially strongly believing in saving for retirement, to being fairly undecided now. I want to do what God would have me to do, regardless of what it would cost. I also believe that what God would have me to do does not neccesarily involve what I may "feel" like, but rather what the most Biblical idea would be.
Right now, part of the problem that I am trying to consider is how my employer administers the 401k program. My employer offers matching up to a certain point for everything contributed to the 401k. That is, every dollar that I put in the 401k (up to a certain point) is matched dollar for dollar by my employer. If I don't contribute to the 401k, I would not see any of that money.
I really don't care to have the money for myself, but if I would not participate in the 401k am I throwing money away that could be used in a Godly manner? If I don't participate, there is a very good probability that the money would not be used in a Godly manner.
My current thought process is:
1. Would not participating in the 401k program be bad stewardship? Would I be turning down money that God would want me to have since He has placed me in a job that allows to me to have it? After all, if I don't accept this matching money it would probably be used by unbelievers.
or
2. Is question #1 just a rationalization on my part to save for retirement and not have faith? After all, if the Biblical position is to not save for retirement am I just trying to use the circumstances to justify taking an unbiblical approach?
Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.
This question is specifically for those who do not believe in 401ks or saving for retirement. I would like your insight into this question as I am currently trying to think through this issue in a Biblical manner.
I currently do have a 401k through my work. I am certainly willing to not save anything for retirement if I felt that was the most Biblical idea. My opinion on this has gone from initially strongly believing in saving for retirement, to being fairly undecided now. I want to do what God would have me to do, regardless of what it would cost. I also believe that what God would have me to do does not neccesarily involve what I may "feel" like, but rather what the most Biblical idea would be.
Right now, part of the problem that I am trying to consider is how my employer administers the 401k program. My employer offers matching up to a certain point for everything contributed to the 401k. That is, every dollar that I put in the 401k (up to a certain point) is matched dollar for dollar by my employer. If I don't contribute to the 401k, I would not see any of that money.
I really don't care to have the money for myself, but if I would not participate in the 401k am I throwing money away that could be used in a Godly manner? If I don't participate, there is a very good probability that the money would not be used in a Godly manner.
My current thought process is:
1. Would not participating in the 401k program be bad stewardship? Would I be turning down money that God would want me to have since He has placed me in a job that allows to me to have it? After all, if I don't accept this matching money it would probably be used by unbelievers.
or
2. Is question #1 just a rationalization on my part to save for retirement and not have faith? After all, if the Biblical position is to not save for retirement am I just trying to use the circumstances to justify taking an unbiblical approach?
Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.