I understand that most people do not want to read about someone helping their elderly parents. In today’s society, “old people” belong in a senior apartment complex, assisted living or nursing home. This attitude is based on nothing but pure selfishness. Children do not want the distraction and responsibility of caring for their parents because it interrupts their lives.

Why is it that Christians seem to think that verses such as Ephesians 6:1-3 only apply to linfants? Look closely at these verses and see if there is any reference to this being written only to small children:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right .

2 “Honor thy father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise :

3 “that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth .”

Paul called Timothy his “child in the faith”. We are called “children of God”. Just because the word children is used, does not mean it is limited to babies, infants or toddlers. How could an infant even read this epistle anyway?

The first commandment Moses gave which had any positive ramifications was to “honor thy father and mother” for it included the promise of things going well and having long life. When children forsake their parents as they grow old, they are no longer honoring them. When children refuse to manifest compassion, patience and understanding toward the needs of their elderly parents, they are not honoring them.

My wife and I have no children. Many times we have talked about what will become of us if the Lord tarries and we grow old and feeble. Who will take care of us? Who will make sure we are eating right, taking our medicines and not sinking into depression? Since none of our nieces or nephews would get involved, I guess we would become wards of the state. Oh what a horrific thought that is.

When we are young and unable to care for ourselves, our parents took care of us. They made sure we ate correctly, brushed our teeth and had our needs met. The will of God has always been that when those parents grow old and unable to take care of themselves, the children would step in and take care of them. Up until the last 60 years or so, when parents grew old, they moved in with their children where they finished this life being cared for by them.

It infuriates me and deeply hurts my heart to see so many Christian children forsake their parents as they get old and unable to care for themselves. This is not honoring your father and mother and thus it is contrary to the will of God. Isn’t it a bit interesting how parents will bend over backwards and faithfully devote themselves to their children, but children are unwilling to do the same for their parents when they get too old to take care of themselves?

Please, in the name of God’s love and compassion, if you have parents who are reaching the age they can no longer take care of themselves, instead of pushing them into a worldly place to “keep them out of your hair”, get involved and help them as they helped you many years before. Nothing is more ugly and disgraceful than parents neglecting their children, except children neglecting their parents.

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