The word ‘retire’ is an interesting word requiring context for a clear understanding. I know someone who retired at age 52 (but began another career); military personnel can retire after twenty years; I am eighty and am considered ‘retired’ but still working.
Common definitions state phrases like “leaving one’s job and ceasing to work’ or ‘to get away from the action,’ or ‘to end one’s professional career. In 2025, about 12,000 Americans ‘retire’ every day, with most of the attention given to financial preparedness and places to retire.
I am most curious about what people do in their retirement years. I suspect people can’t golf all the time; gossiping can soon prove to be counter-productive; shopping has its built-in limits; and statistics suggest that watching TV all day can kill you within two years.
However, there are lots more things to do in retirement, and many of them are very good things to be doing. In this missive, I would like to suggest that living a longer and most satisfying life involves serving others as Peter states in 1 Peter 4:10-11 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…”
If one works until the prescribed full Social Security age, one is likely getting tired and is slowing down. Most all of us by that time have developed a skill, profession, or talent; or we may have a hobby; or a dream we want to pursue. Why not do this for the good of someone else in the family, or among disadvantaged people, or the poorest of the poor abroad?
What might that look like within the context of Business as Mission and IBEC?
- Dave sold his Ag business and is helping to build poultry facilities in Africa in alliance with local entrepreneurs and church leaders.
- Bob was a marketing guru in the pharmaceutical industry and today is passing on his skills to many BAM startups.
- Al was an executive in the aircraft industry and has put his writing skills to use writing apologetic materials for the integration of faith and work.
- Tony left a tech profession and is coaching a BAM company in the Mideast.
- Mike is a pastor and businessperson and uses his communication abilities to create training materials and podcasts.
- Gary was an IT guy and helped set up technical structures for BAM startups in several countries.
- Phil is an accountant and is a go-to guy for accounting and legal questions for many BAM companies.
- Rick realized that much of what he learned in the petroleum industry was of value in helping coach young BAMers who are just starting out.
- Ken was in the pharmaceutical industry and after retiring from that, he helped a missionary buy a boat-building business in Asia and learn the basics of business.
- Marv sold his business and worked with some others to bring shalom to the most economically deprived section of his city.
Most of these people didn’t initially realize that they could accomplish something really helpful and significant in their retirement, using just a few hours a month.
Want to think more about this? Click here.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com