Beyond the Weekend

August 18 | Honoring Aging Parents (45+)

August 18, 2016

Mark 7.9-13

The command “Honor your father and mother” is not limited to kids. Jesus, in Mark 7.9-13, applied this commandment to financially supporting aging parents when they can no longer take care of themselves. To honor, or count as weighty, means we don’t disregard the needs of our aging parents.

One way to look at this interaction is as a form of repayment. They cared for you as a child when you were vulnerable and ill-equipped to work. Now it’s your turn to take care of them. We do this not because of how good of parents or grandparents they may be, but because this pleases the Lord.

It’s amazing how easy it is to let weeks pass without visiting or making a phone call. The truth is, caring for your aging parents will cost you. Health care for the elderly can be financially crippling and the time required can be terribly inconvenient. You may need to restructure your life, move, or liquidate some assets to pay for health care. To honor your parents is far more valuable in God’s eyes than your comfort, leisure, or projection of success.

If you have aging parents, consider how you’ve structured yourself to care for them. Take some intentional steps this week to meet their needs in a substantive way. If you don’t yet have aging parents, begin preparing for the future. In this way you’ll experience God’s blessing in your life.

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