The status of old age in our modern society is very different from what it was just a few decades ago. In the past, elders were the ones who passed on knowledge, customs and traditions and it was from them that younger people would seek guidance. This is also true in the Holy Scriptures. Elders are presented as those who are supposed to be wise and discerning. The Psalmist, and then the young Elihu in the book of Job, make us understand that it is above all obedience to the Word of God which is a pledge of intelligence.

Psalm 119: 100 « 100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. » KJV

Job 32:9 « 9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. » KJV

The ideal in a modern, forward-looking society, is ahead and not behind us. The assumption is that the future will be better than the past. Such a thought values youth and the status of seniors is, at the same time, devalued.

When our parents can no longer live alone, we should help them because we owe them the care they have given us (1 Timothy 5:4 and 8).

1 Timothy 5:4 « 4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. » KJV

1 Timothée 5 : 8 « 8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. » KJV

Serving God, in concrete terms, is also serving our parents who are in need, taking for example our mother who has become a widow at our side. We do it also for God, to be pleasing to Him, and His blessing will not fail to rest on us. When Jesus was on the Cross, He saw His mother, probably a widow, and entrusted her to the disciple He loved who was with her. He asked the apostle John to consider her as his own mother. And from that moment on, the disciple took her home (John 19:26-27).

John 19: 26-27 « 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. » KJV

If a family cannot take care of its elders, the Church should be able to take over. This is clearly shown in the Scriptures when it comes to widows, especially those who are old and have worthily served The Lord (1 Timothy 5:1-16).

In general, elders should be treated in the Church as fathers and mothers, with equal consideration. The Church functions as a family, with the same type of obligations among its members as in a «classical» family, where several generations live side by side.

Older Christians also have a role to play in teaching the « things of God » to younger people. They can witness to the power of God and His faithfulness throughout their lives, a testimony that could mark all their descendants.

God wants the different generations within a family to live in close contact with each other, and that the elderly communicate to the younger generations the richness of their experiences. The older ones should manifest the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, so that they can inspire the younger ones with the good testimony they give. And to the younger generations, God asks that they treat the elderly with great respect and consideration (Proverbs 23:22).

Proverbs 23:22 « 22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. » KJV