Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
Proverbs 27:23-24
Many believers might argue that there is no need to pursue the acquisition of assets. After all, is that not what a pension is for? This is a valid argument; you can certainly think of your pension as that ‘flock’ or ‘herd’ that will sustain you when your strength fails.
I would still extend the challenge in Proverbs 27:23, however…
Do you know the condition of your flocks? How has that pension fared over the past five years? How has it fared over the past ten? Is it currently on track to cover your monthly expenses when it matures?
Do you give careful attention to your herds? How much are you paying your fund manager in fees each year? How much are your payments likely to increase as you approach retirement? Are there better alternatives out there that you could invest in? What type of pension are you invested in? Is it one that you can pass on to your children should you shuffle off this mortal coil before you are able to reap the benefits of said pension? Most of all, if you continue at the current rate of growth, will the pot be sufficient to support you and your family in your twilight years? Will it keep track with inflation?
The truth about retirement is that not all pension schemes have your interests at heart.
If you can’t answer these questions, then I submit you do not know the condition of your flocks and have not given careful attention to your herds. It may be time to heed God’s word on the matter and take this proverb’s instruction on board.
The video below reveals some frightening truths about the modern ‘retirement industry’. This is not specifically Christian content — but truth is still truth. If this video gives you pause for thought, then I would urge you to heed the above Bible verse and start paying attention to your ‘flocks and herds’, as the proverb advises.
