I looked after my parents and grandparents while they lived. Now, all of them died, but I tried to support my children and other relatives. As a family, we stay connected through zoom, text, emails, and phone calls.
Background: God cares deeply about the marginalized. The concept of respect for the aged was written into ancient Jewish law. Leviticus 19, which repeats the Ten Commandments, including the one to honor parents (v. 3), also says, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God” (v. 32). In 1 Timothy 5:1–8, Paul discusses respect for the elderly in his letter to Timothy. Timothy was to show the utmost respect for an “older man,” and he was to see that the church cared for widows in genuine need and without family to provide for them (vv. 3–8). Children and grandchildren of widows were to show respect for their elders by caring for them.
As Christians, we cannot practice caring for family members if they deserve it. This practice is contrary to God’s law. Take care of them because “this is pleasing to God” (v. 4).
Reflect:
If your parents are still living, how would you describe your relationship with them? Regardless of what kind of job they did as parents, what are some ways you can take care of them right now?
My prayer for us:
Father, give us grace and mercy as we seek to care for those who cared for us. And help us to remember the reason we are doing it.
Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/08/25) A Good Reason, John Blase, retrieved from www.odb.org 25/08/2021 A Good Reason.