Page 13 - January 2026 - Truth & Tidings

spiritual preservation. Think of the broad array of possibilities
Laxity in self-discipline, in “redeeming opened to your vista by just the handful
the time,” with the excuse that “I have lots of Scriptures cited. There is visitation of
of time” is a dangerous mentality. Some of shut-ins, of those hospitalized, or in nurs-
us may well be more time-conscious and ing homes. There are young men to take
prone to self-discipline than others, but to breakfast and discuss how they are
all humans thrive on having goals and faring in spiritual life, how they study the
purpose in life. Be aware of the danger of Scriptures, and the questions that fill their
thinking that now my time is my own to minds. You do not need to be a shepherd
do with as I please. God has redeemed us to shepherd young men. Our sisters who
so that we might redeem the time He has have had the experience and trials of
given to us.
family life can be a great benefit to others,
The Scriptural Mandate especially younger sisters facing similar
Allow me to bring a few Scriptures challenges. This does not warrant intrud-
together to suggest our responsibilities ing into the private lives of others. But it
as retirees. The Psalmist tells us that we is a scriptural mandate to be available and
are to “bring forth fruit in old age” (Psa open to such ministry.
92:14). Peter, putting his pen down as a But returning to the Scriptures cited,
1
man in his 60s, reminds us in his sign-off note that there is an emphasis on “being”
message, “Grow [and continue to grow] in and not just “doing.” God’s mandate for
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord our lives as we mature and age is that we
and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18). I turn become more like His Son. He is more
to Titus 2 and read there that the older concerned with my character than my
sisters are to mentor the younger sisters capability. Likeness, not labor, heads the
and mothers; older men are to exhort and list of mandates for retirement.
mentor younger men to be sober minded. And lest any should think that the writer
All of us are told at every point in life to
“redeem the time … understanding what has no time for family life, your “golden
the will of the Lord is” (Eph 5:16-17). years” are a wonderful time to invest in
If you have been zealous in the gospel the future of your grandchildren. Yes, it
during your work life, you now have more is nice to leave them some material bless-
opportunity for tract distribution, visiting ing on your home-call, if possible, but
to develop one-on-one relationships with far more important, what is really “pure
neighbors, and even helping in gospel gold” is to leave them a spiritual heritage
work where appropriate. Opportunities communicated by closeness and investing
abound and the need is great. Avoid the in them. The last 15 years of Abraham’s
danger of thinking that you have studied life were lived out with Jacob by his side.
the Scriptures enough and that there Is that why Jacob wanted the birthright?
is nothing else for you to mine from its Think of Naomi and her influence on her
pages. Hearken to Peter when he says, grandson. And what of Lois and Timothy?
“Grow in … knowledge.” If God grants you retirement years,

1 Bible quotations in this article are from the invest them wisely in light of eternity,
KJV. “giving all diligence” (2Pe 1:5).

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