To think about retirement is to think about the future.
One time I asked a friend who is counselor of professional investments, to advise me about my finances. He surprised me by asking: “What’s your greatest interest, profit or security?” I thought about the question and I had to admit that I was more interested in security than profit for my investments. Our tendency is to become more cautious as time passes.

In Paul’s days, people did not have sophisticated banking systems. To lend money was a common business, but wasn’t accompanied by offices and sophisticated buildings. They also had no coffers. People used to leave their deposits in secure areas, inside homes. When traveling long distances, a common practice was to take money to a trusting friend who would keep it until they returned.
Maybe this is the custom Paul mentions in II Timothy 1:12. “ Because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day .” The basis for such surrender is trust. No doubt that he is referring to his soul of a inestimable value as a treasure surrendered to the Lord.

Frequently, we hear people saying that they lost their lifetime investments in financial institutions or companies that went bankrupt. Until this moment, my investment is secure. It's not as profitable as I would have with a secure financial investment but it’s bringing me peace.
More importantly, I will never regret the decision made many years ago of placing my greatest treasure, my eternal soul, in the hands of my Lord and Savior.

Leroy Patterson.