Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 12:16–21, Eccles. 2:18–
22, Prov. 27:23–27, 2 Cor. 4:18, Eccles. 5:10, Col. 1:15–17.
Memory Text: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their
works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
As we near the end of our earning years, our financial focus
turns toward preserving our assets in anticipation of the end of
life. The transition from working to retirement can be a very
traumatic experience. In terms of our finances, what is the best way to
proceed?
As people get older, they almost naturally begin to worry about the
future. The most common fears are: dying too soon (before the family
is taken care of); living too long (outliving one’s assets or savings);
catastrophic illness (all one’s resources could go at one time); or mental
and/or physical disability (who will take care of me?).
When commenting on these fears, Ellen G. White wrote: “All
these fears originate with Satan. . . . If they would take the position
which God would have them, their last days might be their best and
happiest. . . . They should lay aside anxiety and burdens, and occupy
their time as happily as they can, and be ripening up for heaven.”
—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 424.
This week we will review God’s counsel regarding our last years.
What are things that we should do, what should we avoid doing, and
what principles should we follow?
