Pastor's Ponderings, September 6, 2016

Our Father Loves His Seniors

The September 5, 2016 edition of the New York Times featured an article entitled, “The Health Effects of Growing Old, and Lonely”.  The writer indicated that there were positive health benefits from continued contact with the elderly.  Reflecting on my personal experience, I agree with this theory. Our church, Sanctuary Gospel Center Church has had a ministry where we visit a local nursing home twice a month for the last ten years.  I am not sure who is blessed more, our members or the residents. 

I believe that God wants all of mankind to consider our elders, talk with them and include them in our lives.  Many of them have much to say and are willing to share a great deal of their wisdom and experience. If we would listen to them, we may avoid a lot of mistakes. 

However, there is a more important reason to treat our elderly kindly. The Bible specifically mentions those who are overlooked in society, such as the chronically ill, widows or prisoners, as the "least" of our brothers and sisters (Matthew 25:34-36, 40).  Although they are not specifically included, our elderly are also those that are often forgotten by us in our busy lives. This passage says that the way we treat our brothers and sisters is the way we treat Jesus (Matthew 25:34-36, 40).

The Bible also states that we should treat others as we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12). On Monday, September 5, 2016, we celebrated Labor Day honoring those whose work was useful and honorable.  We should do no less for those who have spent their productive years as housewives, parents, laborers, professionals, and workers and now are resting from their work.  Let us pick up our phones, drop by our elderly’s homes, and spend some time with them.  They will be happy, you will be glad that you did, and most of all, God will be pleased.

Matthew 25:34-36, 40
New International Version (NIV)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 7:12
New International Version (NIV)

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.