The book of Proverbs is filled with hundreds of nuggets of common-sense truth, many of which are encased in metaphorical ways. Solomon was focused on the pastor’s retirement years when he challenged us to “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest” (Prov. 6:6–8). Here, the wisest man who ever lived tells us we will be wise if we, like the ant, make preparation for the coming winter season of life.
In our ministry at GuideStone Financial Resources, dealing with thousands of pastors and their retirement needs, we find that ‘retirement’ is a subject that many pastors never give much thought to until they are reaching vocational retirement and it is almost too late. Most pastors are underpaid and overworked and spend long hours in pastoral ministry and simply do not think they have the money or time to think or do anything about this important issue.
Retirement should most likely never be a large part of the pastor’s thinking process. Who of us ever intends to “retire” from ministry and the service of the Lord Jesus? We are speaking here of “vocational retirement” from our church or place of service and not ministry retirement.
In Solomon’s parable of the ant, we see three points about retirement preparation:
A problem with retirement preparation.
Solomon refers to those who procrastinate as “sluggards.” The word refers to laziness but even more than that it refers to procrastination on the part of certain people. Here is the man who knows what to do and puts it off. This is the problem with retirement preparation on the part of many pastors. They simply think it is an issue that they will think about in a few years and keep putting it off throughout their lifetime.
A picture of retirement preparation.
Solomon suggests we go to the ant and study its ways and in so doing, become wise. He paints a picture of the ant in these verses. The ant has no leader, no commander that is directing and giving orders about what to do or where to go or how to get there. The ant has no “overseer” to inspect his work and see that it is done properly. He has no “ruler” to push him and prod him to achievement. And yet, the ant works better than most pastors. The ant works with the future in mind.
A possibility of retirement preparation.
Solomon says wisdom comes in observing this obvious object lesson. The ant doesn’t simply live for the current moment but lives in anticipation of its future needs. The ants store and gather their food in summer while it is warm and long before the winter comes upon them. Yes, pastor, “Go to the ant and be wise” as it relates to your own retirement preparation. You may feel the warmth of summer now, but winter is coming.
Can you imagine what can happen if we can get the next couple of generations of pastors to “go to the ant and be wise” and begin preparing systematically for their retirement? These next generations are going to live longer than any generations in modern history. Many of our retired pastors will have 20 or more active and healthy years of life and potential service after they vocationally retire from local church ministry.
If we can help them get to that place of vocational retirement with financial security and dignity, we will be able to help unleash upon this world the greatest force of volunteers on mission the world has ever witnessed. And the latter years of our lives and ministries can become our most productive ever. Pastor, don’t think about “retiring,” go to the “ant and be wise” and think about “retooling.” God is not through with you yet!
This is adapted from Dr. Hawkins’ book, The Pastor’s Primer.