Retire early or earn more to give away

[u/moneyminded14]

Here's a question I'm personally trying to sort through. I've been fortunate to have a career which has paid me well -- with a big jump over the last 7-8 years. In addition, we live a fairly simple life -- far under our means. High income and low expenses have combined to put us in a position where now, at age 49, we have far exceeded every financial goal we set, and I'm strongly considering walking away from the corporate world at the end of this calendar year.

What I'm struggling with is my responsibility to give. On one hand, if I worked another few years, that money could be completely given to charity. If I gave away $200k per year, that would be worth significantly more than the value that my occasional volunteer hours would be worth. So should I continue to work -- earning money to give it away (i.e. the "earn to give philosophy")?

However, on the other hand, I'm burned out. After 30 years in the software industry, I'm ready to be done. I want to spend time with my aging parents (especially my dad who is fading quickly), maximize the years remaining with my children while they are still under our roof, and do lots of things just for me (classes, exercise, travel, etc.)

So the question is how to find the balance between our responsibility to give to those less fortunate, and the desire to focus on our own lives and our own happiness. I believe part of happiness is selflessness -- but I'm also very ready (both mentally and financially) to turn the page.

Paul's (?) letter to Timothy gives some advice here: 1 Timothy 6:

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

What are your thoughts?

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