What does the Bible say about retirement? For Christians, retirement is not the end of work but a new season of vocation and faith. In this workshop from the 2025 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, Derek Thomas shares his own story of stepping away from a large pastorate, wrestling with the challenges of aging, and finding renewed purpose in preaching, writing, and serving God’s people.
Along the way, he draws us back to biblical foundations:
• Work as God’s design – We encounter God’s plan for us: work. The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
• The Fall and futility of labor – Not a curse on work per se, but a curse upon the fruitfulness of work.
• Vocation for all believers – Luther emphasized that everyone has a calling—farmers, woodworkers, metalsmiths—all for the glory of God.
• Running with endurance – So far as our bodily health allows, we should aim to be found running the last lap of our Christian life flat out, with all our might.
Derek also offers wise, practical counsel for a God-honoring retirement:
• Find something useful and God-honoring to do.
• Plan intentionally, with diligence and prayer.
• Use the season to know God better—through Scripture, prayer, and service.
• Enjoy leisure and God’s good gifts with gratitude.
• Finish well—pressing on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
This is an engaging meditation on aging, purpose, and perseverance in the Christian life. Whether you are approaching retirement, already in it, or simply considering how to finish your earthly race well, you will be encouraged and challenged to “work heartily, as for the Lord” until the end.
đź“– Scripture References
Genesis 2:15 – “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Colossians 3:23–24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:1–2 – “Run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Psalm 71:18 – “Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation.”
đź“Ś Resources & Links
đź”— Learn more: https://alliancenet.org
đź“ş Subscribe for more biblical teaching: https://www.youtube.com/@Alliance-Video
You can find all the audio messages from this conference at Reformed Resources
https://reformedresources.org/philadelphia-conference-on-reformed-theology/reformation-pcrt-2025/
Along the way, he draws us back to biblical foundations:
• Work as God’s design – We encounter God’s plan for us: work. The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
• The Fall and futility of labor – Not a curse on work per se, but a curse upon the fruitfulness of work.
• Vocation for all believers – Luther emphasized that everyone has a calling—farmers, woodworkers, metalsmiths—all for the glory of God.
• Running with endurance – So far as our bodily health allows, we should aim to be found running the last lap of our Christian life flat out, with all our might.
Derek also offers wise, practical counsel for a God-honoring retirement:
• Find something useful and God-honoring to do.
• Plan intentionally, with diligence and prayer.
• Use the season to know God better—through Scripture, prayer, and service.
• Enjoy leisure and God’s good gifts with gratitude.
• Finish well—pressing on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
This is an engaging meditation on aging, purpose, and perseverance in the Christian life. Whether you are approaching retirement, already in it, or simply considering how to finish your earthly race well, you will be encouraged and challenged to “work heartily, as for the Lord” until the end.
đź“– Scripture References
Genesis 2:15 – “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Colossians 3:23–24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:1–2 – “Run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Psalm 71:18 – “Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation.”
đź“Ś Resources & Links
đź”— Learn more: https://alliancenet.org
đź“ş Subscribe for more biblical teaching: https://www.youtube.com/@Alliance-Video
You can find all the audio messages from this conference at Reformed Resources
https://reformedresources.org/philadelphia-conference-on-reformed-theology/reformation-pcrt-2025/