Christian Retirement Planning: Principles of Stewardship
Christian retirement planning goes beyond traditional savings strategies. It's about preparing for a future that reflects biblical principles of stewardship, generosity, and trust in God's provision.
Scripture encourages thoughtful planning: "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost…" (Luke 14:28). Yet it also calls us to live generously with eternity in mind. This balance shapes not just how we save and invest, but why.
As CFP® professionals and fiduciary advisors, we partner with individuals seeking retirement strategies that align with their faith. Our goal is to provide biblically-informed guidance that helps clients plan for the future with clarity, confidence, and purpose—whether just starting to plan or approaching retirement.
Basic Principles and Financial Tools
Understanding Biblical Stewardship
At the heart of faith-centered retirement planning is the principle of stewardship. This foundational belief recognizes that everything belongs to God, and we serve as managers of His resources. Understanding this shifts how believers view wealth—not as something to hoard, but as a tool to serve God, provide for families, and bless others.
Key Biblical Foundations:
God's Ownership - "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1)
Wise Planning - "The plans of the diligent lead to profit" (Proverbs 21:5)
Purposeful Saving - "Go to the ant...it stores its provisions in summer" (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Forward Thinking - "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?" (Luke 14:28)
True Christian retirement strategies shift the focus from ownership to stewardship. Instead of asking, "What can I afford to do with my money?" believers ask, "How can I use what God has entrusted to me for His glory?"
Important Context: Is Retirement Biblical?
The modern concept of retirement—stopping work at 65 to enjoy leisure—didn't exist in biblical times and isn't explicitly addressed in Scripture. The only reference appears in Numbers 8:25, where Levites transitioned from active temple service at age 50 but continued assisting in different capacities. This suggests retirement is better understood as a transition to different responsibilities, not an end to productive service.
This doesn't make retirement wrong, but it reframes the question. Rather than retiring from purpose, Christians retire to new purpose—a season freed from career obligations to serve God in fresh ways.
Essential Financial Tools for Retirement
Faith-based retirement planning uses the same vehicles as traditional planning—IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, pensions, and annuities. The difference lies in how these tools are used and the values guiding their selection.
Core Retirement Vehicles for Christians:
401(k)/403(b) Plans - Pre-tax contributions that reduce current taxable income while growing tax-deferred
Traditional & Roth IRAs - Individual retirement accounts offering different tax advantages based on your situation
Faith-Based Investment Options - Mutual funds and ETFs that screen for biblical values
Donor-Advised Funds - Tax-efficient vehicles for charitable giving in retirement
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) - Direct IRA transfers to ministries (age 70½+) that satisfy required minimum distributions
What Makes These Tools "Christian"?
The tools themselves are neutral—what matters is their alignment with biblical principles:
Screening investments to reflect your values and convictions
Prioritizing charitable giving and legacy planning within the structure
Using tax advantages to increase generosity capacity
Managing withdrawals to support continued ministry involvement
We specialize in helping believers navigate these financial tools with integrity and purpose. Our team provides biblically-aligned advice, offering retirement strategies that reflect your faith while ensuring practical, personalized planning. Whether evaluating investment options or building a comprehensive retirement plan, we serve as a trusted partner in Christ-centered financial stewardship.
Fundamentals of Retirement Planning Strategy
Setting Faith-Driven Goals
In Christian retirement planning, retirement isn't merely a time to rest. God's calling on our lives never truly stops—it's a new season of service, purpose, and discipleship. The end of a career marks the beginning of a God-filled chapter, a fresh opportunity to invest more deeply in ministry, missions, mentoring, and family.
Beyond Financial Goals: Three Guiding Principles
Drawing from John Piper's biblical framework, we help clients consider three essential principles:
1. The Self-Sustaining Principle "Live quietly, work diligently, and plan wisely" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). As much as possible, we should avoid being a financial burden on others. This doesn't mean perfect financial independence, it means planning responsibly today so we won't unnecessarily burden family or society tomorrow.
2. The Caregiving Principle "If anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith" (1 Timothy 5:8). Retirement planning includes honest conversations about long-term care needs, roles within your family, and responsibility toward aging parents or relatives.
3. The Ministry Principle "As long as you are able, lean toward meeting needs" (biblical mandate for service). Christians lean toward needs, not just comfort. Retirement should increase—not decrease—our capacity to serve, give, and bear fruit for God's kingdom.
Practical Faith-Driven Goals Might Include:
Supporting specific church initiatives or building campaigns
Funding mission work or missionary support
Helping grandchildren with Christian education costs
Building a legacy of generosity through estate planning
Transitioning to part-time ministry work
Volunteering regularly in community outreach
Our approach focuses on aligning these goals with a plan that is financially sound and spiritually intentional. When retirement planning becomes a form of worship, it uses God's blessings to continue advancing His kingdom.
Critical Healthcare Considerations
Healthcare represents one of the largest retirement expenses. According to recent data, a 65-year-old couple can expect to spend approximately $315,000 on healthcare throughout retirement. Private nursing home care averages $128,000 annually. These aren't merely financial considerations—they're stewardship responsibilities.
Planning with eternity in mind means asking: How can I honor God with my resources now and in the future? Whether giving more time and money to ministry or leaving a legacy for the next generation, generosity remains central.
We understand this balance and work with clients to design retirement plans that integrate financial security with philanthropy. Our approach helps Christians steward their retirement years wisely, enabling them to live generously and with confidence.
Living Your Faith-Driven Retirement
Maintaining Financial Health Throughout Retirement
A complete strategy includes both preparing for retirement and thriving in it. Key challenges require ongoing attention:
Rising healthcare costs and long-term care needs
Inflation eroding purchasing power
Increased life expectancy requiring longer-term planning
Market volatility affecting portfolio stability
For Christian retirees, these aren't just financial concerns—they're stewardship responsibilities.
We provide long-term partnership through regular check-ins, portfolio adjustments, and faith-driven guidance. Periodic reviews ensure your plan remains aligned with both changing circumstances and your spiritual priorities.
From Retirement to "Repurpose-ment"
Biblical retirement planning prepares your heart, not just your portfolio. Think of this season as "repurpose-ment"—a transition to different work, honoring God's continued calling on your life.
Ways to Serve in Retirement:
Ministry: Teaching Bible studies, mentoring believers, leading small groups, chaplaincy work.
Missions: Short-term trips, missionary support, community outreach, and volunteering in your parish or community.
Family: Discipling grandchildren, childcare support, recording faith testimonies, intentional prayer.
Church: Ministry teams, administrative support, facility care, hospitality.
Questions to Guide Your Season:
What does God want me to give now?
Where is God calling me to serve?
How can my retirement glorify God beyond personal comfort?
What wisdom has God given me to share?
The most fulfilling retirements we've witnessed aren't those with the largest portfolios, but those with the clearest sense of God's continued purpose.
Your Next Steps Toward Faith-Centered Retirement
Christian retirement planning is about more than financial security. It's a reflection of stewardship, generosity, and legacy. By managing God's resources with wisdom, believers can retire with purpose, serve others, and leave a lasting impact. Whether you're just beginning or reassessing your plan, start with prayer and a heart aligned with God's calling. Seek guidance that honors both your faith and future.
As trusted fiduciary advisors and CFP® professionals, we offer biblically grounded strategies to help you navigate retirement with clarity and confidence. Now is the time to plan intentionally, for God's glory and your lasting legacy.
Ready to begin? Reach out today and start your journey toward a fulfilled, purpose-driven retirement that honors God in every decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What makes Cooke Wealth Management different from other financial advisors?
We specialize in Christian retirement planning as CFP® professionals and fiduciary advisors regulated by the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This means we're legally and ethically obligated to put your best interests first. We offer biblically-based financial guidance that integrates faith with financial expertise, helping clients align retirement goals with Christian values like stewardship, generosity, and legacy building. Unlike advisors who simply accommodate religious preferences, we actively incorporate biblical principles into every aspect of our planning process.
2. Can you help me invest in faith-aligned portfolios?
Absolutely. We provide values-based investment strategies that screen out industries or companies that conflict with Christian ethics, including those involved in abortion, pornography, predatory lending, and other practices contrary to biblical values. At the same time, we actively seek opportunities to support businesses and funds that promote positive Kingdom impact. Our approach allows you to grow your wealth without compromising your beliefs, while maintaining prudent diversification and sound financial management.
3. How do you incorporate biblical principles into investment management?
We apply timeless scriptural wisdom to modern financial markets. This includes strategic diversification based on Ecclesiastes 11:2, cycle awareness rooted in understanding God's sovereignty, long-term perspective inspired by Luke 14:28, and purpose-driven allocation that ensures your portfolio serves your broader faith-based values and goals. Every investment decision is filtered through both financial wisdom and spiritual integrity, ensuring your money works in alignment with your Christian principles.
4. Does Cooke Wealth Management assist with legacy and estate planning?
Yes, we offer personalized strategies to help you create wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and charitable giving plans that reflect your faith and ensure your resources continue to honor God beyond your lifetime. We help you structure charitable trusts, designate gifts to ministries, create family giving strategies, and design estate plans that pass down not just wealth, but also your values and faith to future generations. Our biblically-informed approach ensures your legacy reflects your calling and continues to bear eternal fruit.
5. Is Christian retirement planning only for those nearing retirement?
Not at all. We work with clients at every stage, from early career to post-retirement, to build long-term plans rooted in biblical stewardship and financial wisdom. The earlier you begin planning with faith-based principles, the more time you have to align your financial decisions with God's purposes. Whether you're just starting your career, in your peak earning years, approaching retirement, or already retired, we tailor our guidance to your specific life stage and spiritual journey.
6. How are you compensated, and are there any hidden fees?
We operate on a transparent fee-based model as fiduciary advisors. We do not earn commissions from selling financial products, which means our recommendations are never influenced by sales incentives or conflicts of interest. We'll clearly explain our fee structure during your initial consultation, and you'll always know exactly what you're paying for our services. This transparency is not only good business practice—it's a reflection of our Christian commitment to honesty and integrity in all dealings.
7. What role does generosity play in your retirement planning approach?
Generosity is central to everything we do. We believe that Christian retirement planning must balance personal needs with a heart for giving. We help you design budgets that account for ongoing tithes, charitable giving, ministry support, and legacy gifts. We also explore tax-efficient giving strategies like donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, and charitable trusts that allow you to maximize your Kingdom impact. Our goal is to help you live generously throughout retirement while maintaining financial security.
8. How often will we meet, and what kind of ongoing support do you provide?
We believe in consistent, proactive communication and view our relationship as a true partnership. Typically, we meet with clients at least annually for comprehensive reviews, and more frequently during major life transitions, market changes, or when you're approaching retirement. Between formal meetings, we're always available by phone or email to address questions or concerns. We also provide ongoing educational resources, market updates, and faith-based financial insights. The frequency and style of communication is tailored to your preferences and needs.
9. Can you help me plan for ministry work or missions in retirement?
Absolutely. Many of our clients feel called to dedicate their retirement years to ministry, missions, or service. We help you structure your finances to support these callings, whether that means planning for reduced income while serving overseas, funding short-term mission trips, supporting ministries financially, or ensuring you have the flexibility to serve where God leads. We view these goals not as obstacles to retirement planning, but as core objectives that should be financially supported and celebrated.
10. How do I get started with Cooke Wealth Management?
Getting started is simple. Visit our website at www.cookewm.com or contact our office to schedule a personalized, no-obligation consultation. During this initial meeting, we'll discuss your financial situation, spiritual goals, and concerns. We'll explain our faith-based approach, answer your questions, and help you determine if we're the right fit for your needs. If we move forward together, we'll guide you through our discovery process and begin crafting a comprehensive retirement plan that honors both your faith and your financial future.