How Elders Show That They Care

Near the end of his long life, Jacob referred to Jehovah s "the true God who has been shepherding me during all my existence until this day." (Genesis 48:15)  Today, Jehovah shepherds his earthly servants by means of Christian overseers, or elders, under the direction of His Son, Jesus Christ,  "the chief shepherd."  (1 Peter  5:2-4) How can overseers imitate Jehovah as they care for the older members of the flock?

Shortly after the inception of the Christian congregation, the apostles appointed  "seven certified men . . . full of spirit and wisdom" to supervise  "the daily distribution" of food among needy Christian widows.  (Acts 6:1-6)  Later, Paul instructed the overseer Timothy to put exemplary aged widows on the lost of those who were entitled to receive material help.  (1 Timothy 5:3, 9, 10) Likewise, congregation practical assistance for elderly Christians when this is necessary. However, more is involved in caring for faithful older ones. 

Near the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus sat down at the temple and "began observing how the crowd was dropping money into the treasury chests."  Then someone caught his attention. Says the account:  "A poor widow came and dropped in two coins, which have very little value."  Jesus called his disciples to him and told them:  "Truly I say to you that this poor widow dropped in more than all those dropping money into the treasury chests; for they all dropped in out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, dropped in all of what she had, her whole living." (Mark 12:41-44)  In monetary terms, the widow's contribution was small, but Jesus knew how much his heavenly Father values such whole-souled expressions of devotion. Regardless of the poor widow's age, Jesus did not overlook what she did. 

Next time: Conclusion of How Elders Show That They Care

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004