This afternoon our school held a special meeting on the new pension system for private school teachers. Under the new system each private school teacher or staff will receive an increase of over two million NT dollars to his or her lump-sum retirement pension as well as be entitled to receive the same monthly pension as his or her counterpart in public school. It is commonly recognized that the new pensions will strengthen the morale of private school employees and help commit themselves to their service, teaching and research. “The new system will not only stabilize funding sources for the pensions, it will also help private schools recruit excellent teachers,” said Cheng Jei-cheng, Minister of Education (Taipei Times).

I was reminded of Abraham in the Bible who was called by God to leave his homeland, his people, and his relatives to the place which God would show him. Abraham didn’t know exactly know where he was headed, but he knew clearly God was leading him on the way to the promised land. He was called to be set apart from the world, even his friends as well as his relatives, to rely on God alone, his guidance and provision.

Christian are called by Jesus Christ to follow him and to serve him only. Who are we serving and working for if we are worried about the retirement fund and pension system? Jesus said, “But story up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do break in or steal: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).