Fruit in old age
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing (Psalm 92:14).
I became a grandparent over 20 years ago, and it is comforting to know that Paul encourages us to care for the aged. In 1 Timothy 5:4 he writes, “But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” It was part of the Church’s testimony to care particularly for the aged and vulnerable amongst them. We read in Psalm 68:5:
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God reminds His people to ensure young and old were cared for when they were destitute. It is interesting to note that great servants like Stephen and Philip were involved in this care. From the words spoken at the cross we learn that Joseph had died, and the Lord, as the eldest son in His family, places His mother, Mary, into John’s care.
Age teaches us about dependency, growing weakness and frailty. Old age seems so distant until we suddenly find ourselves unable to do all the things we took for granted. At this time of insecurity, we need our family, and brothers and sisters in Christ, not just to do something for us, but to be valued and included. But the Bible also explains the things we can do. We read in Deuteronomy 4:9: “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.” I was privileged to grow up in the same home as my grandparents and my great-grandmother. I have never forgotten seeing first-hand the hard work, commitment, sacrifice and love that went into caring for the elderly. But I also witnessed the wisdom of old age.
I was once talking to a very able Christian with broad business experience. He gave the impression that his father, who was not highly educated or widely travelled, had little to teach him. I questioned this, pointing out that his father, a very godly man, had a life of enormous value and much to teach his children about spiritual matters that could well influence his business life. It is easy to dismiss aged people as having nothing to contribute to today’s fast-moving world when they have much to impart, if we had the time to stop, listen and learn.
It is interesting that in old age you can feel that your time is running out. On the other hand, we move into an area of life where we have greater control of our time. We can invest our time and resources into praying for, encouraging and being examples to succeeding generations. Timothy gained a great deal from his grandmother: “I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5). This beautiful verse demonstrates the harmony of two generations in the spiritual upbringing of a child. These women were so influential in Timothy becoming a great servant of God. I read some months ago of a Christian known to friends who started a ministry amongst refugees in Greece. He was in his nineties! This dear brother, and Lois the grandmother of Timothy, are such encouragements for us to value the aged saints of God and for them to “bear fruit in old age” and remarkably to be “fresh and flourishing” (Psalm 92:14).
