Honoring Our Elders
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Leviticus 19:32-You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.
Several years ago, I knew of a church of Christ that had a special way of honoring and providing for its elderly widows. They bought an apartment building and provided electricity, water, and food for widows from their congregational treasury who had no one else to provide for them. They were fulfilling the Bible exhortation to take care of elderly members (1 Timothy 5:1-16), and their example of love has always stood out to me.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
1 Timothy 5:1-2-Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
Writing of this passage, Barclay notes:
“(1) To older people, we must show affection and respect. An older man is to be treated like a father and an older woman like a mother. The ancient world knew very well the deference and respect which were appropriate to age. The Roman orator and statesman Cicero writes: ‘It is, then, the duty of a young man to show deference to his elders, and to attach himself to the best and most approved of them, so as to receive the benefit of their counsel and influence. For the inexperience of youth requires the practical wisdom of age to strengthen and direct it. And this time of life is above all to be protected against sensuality and trained to toil and endurance of both mind and body, so as to be strong for active duty in military and civil service. And even when they wish to relax their minds and give themselves up to enjoyment, they should beware of excesses and bear in mind the rules of modesty. And this will be easier, if the young are not unwilling to have their elders join them, even in their pleasures’ (De Officiis, 1: 34). Aristotle writes: ‘To all older persons too one should give honour appropriate to their age, by rising to receive them and finding seats for them and so on’ (Nicomachean Ethics, 9: 2). It is one of the tragedies of life that youth is so often apt to find age a nuisance. A famous French phrase says with a sigh: ‘If youth but had the knowledge, if age but had the power.’ But when there is mutual respect and affection, then the wisdom and experience of age can co-operate with the strength and enthusiasm of youth, to the great profit of both.” (William Barclay, The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (The New Daily Study Bible), 116-117 (Kindle Edition): Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press).
What I have found in my life is that very often the elderly are a great blessing. Their love, joy, encouragement, and wisdom are a tremendous gift in life for those discerning enough to appreciate them. Sadly, many youth neglect this wonderful gift.
If we are wise, we will honor our elders!
Proverbs 16:31-The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 20:29-The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
Christian, how are we doing?
Are we learning from the elderly among us?
Are we doing what we can to show our love and respect for the elders in our families, and for those among our church families?
Father, we thank You for the elderly people in our lives who have put You first and set an example for us in following Your ways. Please bless them and give us wisdom to learn from them. Give us a heart to treasure them. Amen.