Old age: a time of great usefulness : Baptist Bible Hour

Old age: a time of great usefulness

Posted by: Lasserre on August 14, 2008

We live in a culture where the emphasis is on youth. The goal of many is to think young, act young, and look young. People are willing to spend a lot of money for vitamins and ointments and even more for cosmetic surgery to help them hold on to a youthful appearance.

In many circles the voice of the young takes precedence over the experience and wisdom of the elderly. However in years gone by the aged were respected and their counsel was sought after.

The Scriptures teach us that although there are many challenges that accompany old age, it can be a time of great usefulness.

“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:14).

It can be a time of not just hanging on, but a time of flourishing — bringing forth much fruit to the glory of God. It can be a time for providing instruction and encouragement to others. It is sad when the younger generation fails to draw from the wisdom of those who have traveled long in God’s service.

But in Titus chapter two we learn that age alone is not enough to guarantee spiritual maturity. In verse one, Paul tells Titus that he is to instruct the aged men and in verse six when he speaks of addressing the young men he says “likewise exhort”, confirming the point that the aged men are to be exhorted. So older men need to be taught; but there are those who resist it. They assume that any opinion they have held for years must be valid and feel they are past the age of being instructed, especially by someone who is younger than they are.

Earlier this year I preached the funeral of Martin Bates who died at the age of 101. Something I greatly appreciated about Martin was that after hearing a sermon he often would say, “I learned something today.” That spirit is in vivid contrast to another man who told me that he no longer tried to study the Bible because he was retired.

Read the whole article>

Related Resources

The Last Days according to Jesus

(Finding Grace)

Till my change come

(Finding Grace)

Awake, my soul!

(Finding Grace)

Dilbert on determinism

(Finding Grace)

Responding like Christians

(Finding Grace)

Resource Categories

Use the categories below to find resources that interest you.