1 Timothy 5
Psalm 94
‘Let your conversation be always full of grace.’ (Colossians 4:6)
1 Timothy 5 – Respect for our Elders. Here, Paul writes to Timothy, about how to treat all people he comes into contact with on a daily basis. Now, I especially want to highlight the older generation. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
In this present time, the careless treatment of others is very evident. We see this in social media ‘naming and shaming’, cyber-bullying, insinuations and rumours spread by the gossip press; but we also hear of careless speech about, and general disregard of the more mature members in our churches. They are perceived as being old-fashioned, out-dated, past their sell-by date; often ignored, and generally not asked for advice.
Recently, we had a lovely ‘Share Life’ event, and we hosted three couples, all who recently retired, or are approaching retirement. There were two dedicated teachers, a master cabinet-maker, a commercial banker, who loves playing the guitar and plays in a band, a senior lecturer in Nursing, who is a long distance ocean swimmer (like from Cape Town to Robben Island!), and one person, who helps out, acts and writes for a local theatre company. Certainly, a diversity of talents, jobs, life experiences, they would gladly share with others. And there are many more stories to be told!
My prayer is that we, as a church family, would be different from the world; that we will treat our elders (and everybody else) with dignity and respect. And, if you are one of the older people, to remember, that God still has Gospel work for you to do (see Joshua 13:1). I do thank the many elders in our church, who have served (and are serving) so faithfully for many years.