Jehovah Rewards Those Who Care

Caring for older ones results in many blessings. Associating with the elderly and being able to draw on their knowledge and experience is a privilege. Caregivers experience the greater happiness that comes from giving, as well as a sense of accomplishemnt and inner peace from having fulfilled their Scriptual responsibility. (Acts 20:35) Moreover, those who care for the elderly need not fear that they themselves will be abandoned in their later years. God's Word assures us: " The generous soul will itself be made fat, and the one freely watering others will himself also be freely watered." - Proverbs 11:25.

Jehovah rewards God-fearing children, overseers, and other caring Christians for unselfishly tending to the needs of elderly fellow believers. Such a spirit is in line with this proverb: " He that is showing favor to the lowly one is lending to Jehovah, and his treatment he will repay to him." (Proverbs 19:17) If love prompts us to show favor to the lowly and the poor, God considers such giving to be a loan that he repays with blesssings. He also repays us for giving loving care to our eldery fellow worshipers, many of whom are 'poor respecting the world but rich in faith.' - James 2:5.

How generous God's repayment is! It includes everlasting life. For the vast majority of Jehovah's servants, that will be life eternal on a paradise earth, where the effects of inherited sin will be eliminated and faithful elderly ones will enjoy the restoration of their youthful vigor. (Revelation 21:3-5) While we await that blessed time, may we continue to fulfill our Christian responsibility to care for the elderly.