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Have you ever found yourself asking, “I’ve maxed out my retirement savings—now what?” It might sound like a first-world problem, but it’s a legitimate question for those who have been diligent with their finances and want to make the most of their resources. While many are focused on simply getting by, others have reached a point where they’re wondering, “What’s next?”

In this episode of The Stewardology Podcast, we’ll explore smart and biblically grounded ways to prioritize surplus cash, from building emergency funds to investing in opportunities and giving generously. We’ll also tackle a deeper question: how much is enough, and how do we avoid the trap of “building bigger barns”? Let’s uncover how to steward your resources well while keeping your focus on God’s provision and purpose.

 

I Maxed out my Retirement Savings, Now What?

 

Priorities for Surplus Cash

  1. Cash reserves (emergency fund). You want to have a health emergency fund, able to sustain 3-6 months of living expenses. This money is held in Cash, typically in a high yield savings account. The point of this money is so that you can sleep at night, and so you can avoid debt when those unexpected expenses arise. Having cash reserves allows you to act more patiently, and not react when hardships come up. 
  2. Be debt free and stay debt free. If you are thinking about what else to do with your money, the best return on investment is to pay off your consumer debt. Build up a fund for known upcoming expenses so you can avoid future debt (a “sinking fund”). Think of a car replacement fund. 
  3. Maximize your retirement savings. Look at the max amount you can contribute to a 401k or Roth IRA and try your best to max it out. 
  4. Non-retirement investment accounts. If you are married, a joint account. Allocate a certain percentage of your assets, if you still have money to save above retirement, to this category. Perhaps this is an education fund for your children, or a Health Savings Account.
  5. Opportunity Fund. This would be for buying real estate, or taking advantage of market crashing, or investing in a business. 
  6. Optional things to do with your money. 
    • Donor Advised Fund. Give more away! Give highly appreciated assets from your non-retirement investment account to your donor advised fund. 
    • Gold/cryptocurrencies. This is not an endorsement for or against. But these are certainly opportunities to consider. 
    • Physical goods. Your “doomsday” category. Maybe you want to stockpile certain things like food and other supplies. 
    • Invest in business ventures. Just be careful of risk and fraud.

 

How much is enough, and how much is too much?

One of the dangers of answering the question of the episode is that I could help you be building “bigger barns.” Let’s look at the Parable from Luke 12.

Luke 12:13-21 – 13: “Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

There is nothing wrong with investing in and of itself, providing that you are living in a way that is consistent with the Biblical priorities. There is a Biblical command to invest to make the world a better place. I have no problem with that. But I do have a problem with helping you just build bigger barns so that you might deny the provisions of God. 

Before I give you the answer to this question, I would like you to think about what is your “financial finish line”? How much money are you going to need to have “enough”? How much income do you need to live on? And above and beyond this, how much of this should I give away and how much should I save and invest? There is no right answer that I can give you. But I would encourage you to talk to God about these questions. Talk to your spouse if you are married. Talk to other Godly Christians if you are not married.

 

Stewardship Application

Financial independence is one of the most common goals financial advisors encounter, and it’s a priority for many of our Christian clients as well. Most individuals aspire to a life where they are free from financial strain and not a burden to their family—a goal that is both commendable and aligns with biblical principles. Scripture encourages us to work diligently so we can provide for ourselves, share with others, and honor God in the process (Ephesians 4:28).

However, there’s a cautionary side to financial independence. We must guard against the mindset that we are entirely self-reliant and self-sufficient. This can subtly lead to an attitude that forgets our ultimate dependence on God. Ask yourself: When was the last time you sincerely prayed, “Lord, give us this day our daily bread”? Do you truly acknowledge your reliance on God for daily provision, or has your financial independence made that prayer feel unnecessary? Even a simple prayer before meals can reflect your heart posture—are you truly grateful, or are you taking God’s provision for granted?

At the end of the day, there are countless ways to steward your resources in a God-honoring way. For more on this, we recommend listening to our episode on The Spiritual Act of Investing. Choosing to do nothing with your resources is not an option (as Jesus teaches in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25). If God has blessed you with surplus, use it wisely to glorify Him, care for others, and advance His kingdom.

But as you pursue financial stewardship, remember to tread carefully. Scripture warns us of the dangers of loving money (1 Timothy 6:10). Money is a tool, not an ultimate goal, and it must not take God’s rightful place in your heart. True financial independence is not about replacing God with your wealth but trusting Him as the provider of all things.

 

Next Steps

 

 

Material presented is property of The Stewardology Podcast, a ministry of Life Financial Group and Life Institute. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, or exploit any content without the expressed written permission of The Stewardology Podcast. For more information, contact us at Contact@StewardologyPodcast.com or (800) 688-5800.

The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.  Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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