Sunday, August 3, 1997 In Your Absence:
In this week's lesson, from I Timothy 5 and Titus 2, we studied about showing proper respect to the elderly. In these passages, the Apostle Paul had written to Timothy and given him instructions about how the church at Ephesus should minister to their older saints. Based on recent census statistics, our nation could have as much as twenty percent of its population over sixty-five by the year 2050. Already, our over-65 population is at about twelve to thirteen percent. An aging country creates numerous logistical problems for the Government, namely how to administer Social Security, how to handle Medicare and Medicaid disbursements, and how to keep a strong revenue base in the midst of an aging and shrinking work force. Paul's chief concern in writing to Timothy, however, was not with these types of national or local government matters. He was much more interested in how an aging population within the Church could and would affect the overall work and ministry of that church.
The Apostle Paul was a ministry-oriented person. He was motivated and driven by the positive event of seeing others coming to the Lord, so his view of the elderly within a church might be somewhat different than what many would think. Certainly, older saints deserve to be and should be treated with respect. They have traveled life's somewhat hectic highway and survived. Younger Christians should look up to them. But by the same token, older saints have a requirement to be worthy of being looked up to. If we are among the younger saints, then we should look up to those who have gone before us. However, if we are among those who have been around for a while, then we should accept the challenges of being the right kind of saint to whom others can look and follow.
Another concern which Paul expressed in his letter to Timothy was for the physical, daily cares of the elderly, especially for the elderly widows. If an elderly widow had been and still was faithful to the Lord and if she did not have any family to help her meet her needs, then the church should. Paul was clear about this, but he was also very restrictive about who did and did not qualify for such care. A widow had to be a godly lady and a godly example to others. She had to be too old to work and probably too old to remarry, plus she had to be known for her good deeds and humility. Again, one must realize that Paul's focus was not for whether or not the church should meet all the physical needs of its members. It was on reaching others for Christ. If we are to be what the Lord wants us to be, then we can begin by sharing Paul's burden for the lost. We can order our life in such a way that we will not be a hindrance to others. Then, we can be faithful to share with others what the Lord has done for us. As you go through this next week, please allow the Holy Spirit to use you as a way to encourage and minister to someone else.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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