Like you, I was taught to “respect my elders.” Of course, my parents were talking about respecting and showing value to those who were older than me. The older I get, the more value I have for those who are older than me.
Those who are older than me have an education learned at the “school of hard knocks.” They are so much wiser than I am. Those who are older than me have endured so much more than me. I will seek their counsel because they have “seen it all before.” Those who are older than me have more life experiences than me. The older I get, I take great delight in being able to ask questions to someone who has more miles than me. Scripture has so much to say about our view of older people. Consider these points:
We should respect older people:
I Timothy 5:4 Show respect at home
I Timothy 5:4 Demonstrate love for parents
I Timothy 5:4 Provide for our own
Titus 2:1-5 Allow older people to teach the young
We have a responsibility to the older people:
Proverbs 16:31 Respect/Esteem/Honor
Proverbs 23:22 Honor
I Timothy 5:8 Provide for them
Psalm 71:9 Not cast them off
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children respect/obey older people
As we grow older, let us remember those who are more senior than us. Let us make sure they are included and have the opportunity to continue to serve and function in the work of the Lord. As we grow older, let us also remember old age is a blessing. Psalm 92:12-14 says The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.
