The Journey of Life

I don't consider myself old, but at 60 years old I have gained a few more life experiences than some. I have have struggled with a marriage that ultimately failed. I have had two infant sons that I have buried. I spent 4 years as a single father raising 3 young girls. I shared my sister's grief when her 19 year old son was killed in an auto accident. And now my wife and I are in the phase where we are assisting our parents as the age and are no longer able to physically do the things they once did when they were younger. Here is my difficult question for you. What does God's word say about caring for our elderly parents.

Exodus 20:12 ESV Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Caring for our aging parents is not only a command from God, it is beneficial to us and distinctly embodies the kind of practical expression of love that God's people should be known for. The obligation of parents to care for their children is universally accepted. Countless books, blogs, and podcasts have been created to direct and encourage parents in the support of their children. Yet strangely enough, there is not the same plethora of information when the cycle of care comes full circle. God's Word clearly teaches that every generation is to care for the men and women that preceded them. Honoring our fathers and mothers is the fifth commandment and sets the standard that is echoed throughout Scripture to submit to our parents, for this pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 6: 2-3 ESV “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Caring for our parents in their later years is the culmination of a life submitted to honoring them. Perhaps one of the greatest ways we can honor them is to care for them when it becomes more difficult for them to care for themselves. In Scripture, Moses, David, and Job all taught of the value that the older generations have to offer. Deuteronomy 32:7 “Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.” Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Proverbs 23:22 “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Caring for the aging is a natural and fitting expression of Christianity. In fact, the Apostle Paul said that to not provide for the elderly reveals a heart that is completely inconsistent with our faith and is worse than that of unbelievers.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

As God's people, the Church, we should graciously attend to the needs of our seniors and parents and display the love of God as we do so. As your support in your aging parents life grows, some task that you can provide assistance with might be tasks like grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, and getting them to medical appointments. Perhaps the day will come when an individual in your life will require more support, such as the need for a professional caregiver, or detailed estate planning. Whatever the expression of your care is for a family member, approach such service with the heart of Christ, and seek to learn from and honor them as you do so.