They Shall Still Bear Fruit in Their Old Age

[RETIREDFAN1]

THEY SHALL STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE

By: Jim Crews

 

The goal for many people in life is a happy retirement. They spend years saving and planning for the time in which they will retire. The look forward to having a lot of free time to do the things that interest them.

 

However, we must ask ourselves a very important question. Is the concept of retirement applicable to the Kingdom of God? We have the right to retire from our secular jobs, but what about our service in the Church? It’s understandable that physical infirmities may hinder us, but is even this a valid reason for retiring from the work of the Church? Let’s look at a passage of scripture.

Psalm 92: 12 - 15

 

Here we find a description of the righteous. They are described as palm trees and cedar trees. They are said to be flourishing in the courts of God. Verse 14 tells us that they still bear fruit in old age, and they shall be fresh and flourish.

 

This definitely suggests that there is a place of service for the elderly in the work of God. They are able to bear fruit and remain fresh and flourishing despite their old age.

 

We see that God can and does use the elderly in His work. Let’s look at a few Biblical examples of this.

 

God used Moses and Aaron. They were chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. They were 80 and 83 years old.

Exodus 7: 7

 

This was when they were already past their normal life span.

Psalm 90: 10

 

God used Joshua and Caleb in their elderly years. Joshua was given the charge of leading the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan during the last 30 years of his life. He lived until he was 110, so he began leading the Israelites at the age of 80.

Joshua 24: 29

 

Caleb was also very much involved in the conquest, and he also was in his eighties.

Joshua 14: 6 - 11

 

God used Daniel in his elderly years. Daniel had served God from the days of his youth, until the rule of Cyrus.

Daniel 1: 21

 

He served God for over 70 years. He was well over 80 when he served as on of three governors over the kingdom of Babylon.

Daniel 6: 1 - 3

 

He was well over 80 when he was thrown into the lion’s den.

Daniel 6: 4 - 27

 

He was well over 80 in the years he prospered under Darius and Cyrus.

Daniel 6: 28

 

He was well over 80 when he received his series of visions dealing with the end of the Mosaic Age and the coming of the Messiah, which are recorded in chapters 8 - 12 of his book.

 

Zacharias and Elizabeth were used by God in their old age. They were the parents of John the Baptist. They were both well advanced in years.

Luke 1: 7

 

Despite their age, Zacharias was still serving in the Temple, and Elizabeth was willing to bear John.

 

God used Simeon and Anna in their old age. These were two elderly people who bore witness to the Messiah when He was presented in the Temple to be circumcised.

Luke 2: 25 - 38

 

Anna was at least 84, and had been serving God with fastings and prayer night and day.

 

God used Paul in his old age.

Philemon 1: 9

 

Despite his age, we know that at this time in his life, Paul was still busy writing letters. He wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon in his old age while he was in prison in Rome. He travelled around visiting and encouraging congregations after he was released from prison.

 

There are many other examples of how God used those in their golden years to serve Him. The ones we have looked at today clearly show how the elderly can still bear fruit in old age.

 

But what about today?

 

God has a use for older people in the Church today. There is always a need for elders. God designed the local congregation to be overseen by elders.

Acts 14: 23

Titus 1: 5 - 9

 

These were men who were older and capable of teaching and leading the flock. They were men who were to serve as overseers and examples to God’s flock.

I Peter 5: 1 - 4

 

Yet many male members seem to retire from active service in the church about the same time they retire from secular work. This is usually around the age of 65, which is much younger than the Biblical examples we looked at. This is the time when they might become very useful to God. Instead, they retire.

 

There is always a need for older women, who do what Paul commanded.

Titus 2: 3 - 5

 

They can be teachers of good things, especially in teaching the younger women in how to love their husbands, how to love their children, and how to be good wives and homemakers. Sadly, many women stop teaching right about the time they reach the age they are commanded to START teaching.

 

There is always a need for the service that the elderly can provide. They can provide hospitality and benevolence. Many older people are financially secure, and able to do the things that many younger people can’t.

 

They can provide edification and evangelism. With all the free time on their hands from retirement, why not use it to study with others. Even the most infirm can do things like sending cards or making phone calls. They can spend time in prayer and fasting.

 

They can always spend time praying for the sick, and for those who are involved in teaching others.

 

God can certainly use people of all ages who are willing to prepare themselves to be of service to Him, and who are willing to present themselves in service to Him. We may retire from our secular jobs, be we are not given the authority to retire from service to God. Physical infirmities may limit what we are able to do, but only death can stop us from doing what we can. We can’t stop the aging process, but we can definitely be renewed inwardly every day.

II Corinthians 4: 16

 

So let's remember to keep serving God, even after we have retired.