Grant
Puritan Board Graduate
So 1 Timothy 5 list some guidelines for church leadership regarding occasions for rebuke (v.1-2) and then a large section on widows (v.3-16). It dawned on me today the implied principle there that Elders should really know about their member’s marriage behavior, parental behavior, and work behavior all beyond the Lord's Day morning "how do you do?". This weighed heavy on me as this is a heavy responsibility. In other words, Paul doesn't say this expressly, but how in the world would elders know who makes the approved widow list without knowing about the above listed areas of their life in a more intimate way?
We too, as children & grandchildren, have such a strong scriptural obligation (even primary) to take care of our own parents and grandparents. The principle and the topic I’m really getting at pops up everywhere in the Bible. I have also seen this principle expressed by commentators. There is a link/cycle between our parents pouring themselves into our godly care/rearing in our younger years and we (children & grandchildren) giving that back as best we can as they age becoming less independent.
This raises thoughts for me on navigating the topic of nursing homes. No doubt, medically, some need medical grade care, but how often do we send elderly away so we don't have to sacrifice our time and convenience? In America, it seems we try to sub-contract many of the family principles out of selfishness instead of true necessity (ex. Childcare). Like modesty, there is a principle given in Scripture without specific rules for EVERY scenario, which is the wisdom of the Bible. We are obligated to learn those principles and seek to apply them in our lives, with the help of Pastors/Elders. My family spent some time this morning discussing how we fail and can improve upon taking care of our grandparents (our parents are all still full time working in their 50s).
I thought this might bring up a very interesting topic for some PB discussion. Looking forward to your reflections. So what are your thoughts on nursing homes and children & grandchildren obligation to care for parents/grandparents?
P.S. Be thinking about the elderly in your family. I think this COVID-19 scenario is having a very negative impact on them mentally and spiritually. My grandmother, finally fed up, ventured to our house to visit us and our girls. She had been even more depressed than normal and it was a big blessing to her to finally get out and visit in spite of all the fear mongering.
We too, as children & grandchildren, have such a strong scriptural obligation (even primary) to take care of our own parents and grandparents. The principle and the topic I’m really getting at pops up everywhere in the Bible. I have also seen this principle expressed by commentators. There is a link/cycle between our parents pouring themselves into our godly care/rearing in our younger years and we (children & grandchildren) giving that back as best we can as they age becoming less independent.
This raises thoughts for me on navigating the topic of nursing homes. No doubt, medically, some need medical grade care, but how often do we send elderly away so we don't have to sacrifice our time and convenience? In America, it seems we try to sub-contract many of the family principles out of selfishness instead of true necessity (ex. Childcare). Like modesty, there is a principle given in Scripture without specific rules for EVERY scenario, which is the wisdom of the Bible. We are obligated to learn those principles and seek to apply them in our lives, with the help of Pastors/Elders. My family spent some time this morning discussing how we fail and can improve upon taking care of our grandparents (our parents are all still full time working in their 50s).
I thought this might bring up a very interesting topic for some PB discussion. Looking forward to your reflections. So what are your thoughts on nursing homes and children & grandchildren obligation to care for parents/grandparents?
P.S. Be thinking about the elderly in your family. I think this COVID-19 scenario is having a very negative impact on them mentally and spiritually. My grandmother, finally fed up, ventured to our house to visit us and our girls. She had been even more depressed than normal and it was a big blessing to her to finally get out and visit in spite of all the fear mongering.