Are you a retired Christian?

If so, this message is for YOU!

Retirement, American -Style

According to an article in USNews.com, "Retirement can be a difficult transition. Retirement can be a diffilcult transition if you are not prepared for it. Many people who were near retirement age were forced to retire during the recent downturn. The loss of income coupled with the large losses in their retirement account caused a lot of heartburn. In this case, it is more conservative to take up part-time work to bring in some extra income. Even a little income will greatly reduce the withdrawal rate from your retirement accounts. If a retiree had been forced to withdraw from his or her retirement account during the recent downturn, that portion of the retirement fund would have missed out on the recovery. Taking up a part-time job or freelance work could help delay the withdrawal until the stock market recovers."

As one who does a great deal of ministry in nursing homes, I can attest, many individuals seem to be, literally, "put out to pasture,” the next big event many are looking forward to being their own funeral. That's sad. It does NOT have to be that way.

My neighbor is well into his 80's. Every summer, for three months, he and his wife in her late 70's, head to Colorado to clear hiking trails at national parks. Until this year, they'd always camped outside the whole time. This year, they used a camping trailer.

What sissies, huh?

As Followers of Jesus, I don't believe we should EVER embrace a retirement mindset. All we have to do is examine the Scriptures and we will see there are NO BIBLICAL EXAMPLES of anyone retiring. In ministry, I don't see myself EVER retiring - not when there's a Kingdom to advance and so many hurting souls to touch. If those who are “in the Light” retire to a life of non-productivity, the ever-darkening world will grow even dimmer than it is.

"They shall still bear fruit in old age,” (Ps 92:12-15)

A goal for many people in life is a restful, well-earned retirement. Sleeping late, doing whatever, whenever. Some folks spend years saving and planning for the time in which they retire. They look forward to the free time to do whatever interests them and checking off the proverbial "Bucket List."

In light of my many experiences with elderly Saints, I think it's wise to examine the concept of "retirement" and ask ourselves if it's even applicable to the Kingdom of God?

Frankly, I think it's a mistake for a Follower of Jesus - of any age - to EVER attempt to get comfortable while we're walking this planet. We aren't from around here; we don't belong. We are aliens; sojourners. We're citizens of Heaven, just passin' through.

We may retire from our jobs, what about our service in the church? Granted, physical infirmities may sometimes be a hindrance, but is such a valid reason for retiring from our Kingdom purpose?

I am only 52 at this writing, however, I DO know what it's like to experience physical limitations. In my late 20s and my 30s, I suffered terribly from an “incurable” spinal disease from which Jesus healed me. I was 50 lbs. heavier than I am today, always in pain with a low-grade fever, and I walked with a cane. I also “slept” sitting up in my living room recliner. During that time, I felt illegitimate. I was useless. I'd been very active in my church and was always able to do things I wanted. Suddenly, all my energy was being used on things like washing clothes and getting my mail. I finally decided, since the devil was going to torment me all night and keep me in so much pain I couldn't sleep, I was going to intercede for people and situations I heard about. One of these was the fall of the Iron Curtain. Imagine my thrill when itactually came down! Point is, though Satan had planned to bring me down, God used that experience to train me to pray and showed me the power thereof, experientially.

I recall, many years ago, a man named Bob who was in his late 70's when we met. He was in a wheelchair but would spend his evenings randomly calling people from the phone book, introducing himself and asking if he could pray for them. That guy had a million wonderful testimonies. What an inspiration! He could have sat around watching TV but he CHOSE to serve his King instead. I used to do that same sort of ministry myself and, yes, I have amazing testimonies, too. Try it!

In Psalms 92:12-15, we find a description of the righteous in which they are described as palm trees and cedar trees flourishing in the house and courts of God. Note in particular verse 14: "They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing."

Does this passage describe many elderly people you know? This verse certainly suggests there is a place of service for the elderly in work of God. They are able to "bear fruit" and remain"fresh and flourishing", despite their old age.

Let's name names!

That God can and does use the elderly should be rather apparent, especially when we consider His use of older people in Scripture.

For starters, there's Moses and Aaron, men chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage at the ages of 80 and 83 (Ex 7:7) when they were already past the normal life span, according to Psalms 90:10 which Moses wrote.

Then, there's Joshua and Caleb. Joshua was given the charge of leading the conquest of Canaan,during the last thirty years of his life. Incidentally, he lived until he was 110,(Josh 24:29). Caleb, too, was very much involved in the conquest, and he was in his eighties, (Josh 14:6-11)

Then, there was Daniel, who served God from the days of his youth, for over 70 years, (Dan 1:21). He was well over eighty when he served as one of three governors over the kingdom of Babylon, (Dan 6:1-3), was thrown into the lions' den, (Dan 6:4-27), prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian, (Dan 6:28) and received a series of visions, (Dan 8-12).

Zacharius and Elizabeth were an old couple who produced a child, John the Baptist, when they were “both well advanced in years," (Lk 1:7). Yet, he was serving in the temple, and she gave birth to John.

Simeon and Anna were two elderly people who bore witness to the Christ child when presented to the temple to be circumcised, (Lk 2:25-38).

Anna herself was at least 84, and had been serving God "with fastings and prayers night and day" most of her life.

“Paul, the aged” is how the apostle Paul refers to himself in Philemon 9. Yet, we know at this point in his life, he was busy writing what would become a major part of what we refer to as the New Testament, even while in prison. He was traveling, visiting, encouraging churches, being stoned and beaten, evn when he was released from prison.

There are many other examples of how God used those in their "golden years" to serve Him. Do you see why they're considered “golden”? These examples certainly illustrate how the elderly can "still bear fruit in old age".

What about today?

Let's consider God's use of older people in The Church today.

Didn't God not design the local church to be overseen by “elders” (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-9)? Now, I realize not all "elders" are old people. In fact, Paul told Timothy - himself an elder - to "despise not your youth." A spiritual elder need not be elderly, but mature in the things of God. Nevertheless, in most instances, with age comes wisdom and experience and, typically, elders are older, considered to be people capable of teaching and leading the flock, who were to serve as overseers and examples of God's flock? (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Wonder why so many older people – even ministers - seem to retire from active service in the church, around age 65, which is rather young compared to the examples we saw!

If they don't feel qualified to serve, why not spend a few years growing and developing the necessary qualifications (if possible),and then serve? They certainly have the time! The average age of seminarians these days is, actually, getting older. Unfortunately, there simply are less and less people attending. Many who want to enter ministry prepare themselves in just a couple of years. Why can't older folks do the same?

I can't say enough about the need for older Christian women to rise up in the Church! In Titus 2:3-5, Paul commanded older women to be "teachers of good things," especially to teach the younger women how to love their husbands, love their children, be good wives and homemakers. Sadly, many women stop teaching when they reach the age where they should be teaching!

To those who don't feel qualified to teach, again, prepare yourself! The call to serve God is actually a call to PREPARE.Commit yourselves to study and learning God's word, and in a short time you, will be more than prepared. Combine that with your years of experience raising kids, handling finances, running businesses, gardening , sowing, etc., and you could be a Satan's worst nightmare!

Additional services you can provide

Hospitality and benevolence: many elderly are financially secure, able to do what many younger families cannot.

Edification and evangelism: with so much time on their hands, why not use it to study with others? Even the most handicapped can do things like send cards, make phone calls, spend time in prayer and fasting (Lk 2:37; 1 Tim 5:5).

I read about an invalid in Soviet Russia who spent her days translating Billy Graham's books into Russian, slowly pecking on a manual typewriter under her blankets. She was ignored by the KGB because she was crippled, yet, she was their worst enemy. She died when her mission was completed.

What else does Scripture admonish the elderly to do?

"To declare the that the Lord is upright; He is my rock,and there is no unrighteousness in Him,"(Psalms 92:15)

“To proclaim God's strength to the next generation,” (Psalms 71:17-18)

“To recount God's mighty works to the next generation,” (Psalms 78:1-8).

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

God desires to 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. Just be available!

We may retire from secular jobs, but not from our service to the Lord! Certainly physical infirmities may limit what we can do, but only death can stop us from doing what we can!

Is the problem really one of physical infirmities, or spiritual laziness? Folks, we can't stop the aging process but we can be renewed inwardly daily! (2 Cor 4:16)

Though our youth-oriented culture may not seem to appreciate the wisdom and experience of the elderly and our society is too quick to put the elderly "out to pasture,” I contend God – who looks ONLy at the heart – sees the older Saints as a mighty army on bivouac, awaiting its marching orders. If that's you,m this message is the directive you've been waiting for.

It's YOUR move!

I believe the righteous can and should "still bear fruit in old age". I hope this lesson will encourage the elderly to re-examine their usefulness to the Lord and His church.

Let the attitude of "Paul, the aged" be your attitude as well.

If you would like to facilitate a 7-week Bible Study in a Nursing Home in your community, send me an eMail with the word “OLD” in your Subject Bar and I'll walk you through the steps I took, personally, to do that in four Nursing Homes in my area so far. Write miketummillo@me.com and leave your name and phone number.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work