In Proverbs 4:5, we learn wisdom is to be desired and wholeheartedly sought after: “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not…” Two verses later, the same principle is repeated for emphasis: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding” (vs. 7).

These words are recorded for all time, and apply just as much today as they did thousands of years ago. Earlier in Proverbs, we find that gaining wisdom is better than silver, rubies—and even fine gold (3:14-15).

Did you know there is a storehouse of gold nuggets of wisdom just waiting to be found? In fact, it is often overlooked.

Yet the elderly in God’s Church—those who have a “hoary head” of white hair and are found in the way of righteousness (Prov. 16:31)—are just that! Every older Church member has a treasure trove of life lessons to share. It is up to you to “mine” them out!

Travel in Time

Many modern feature films and historical novels are set in faraway locations and long-past eras. It can be quite enjoyable to explore these other worlds and understand how the people of that time handled life’s common concerns.

Just as books and movies show us what the past was like and can teach us valuable life lessons, so can talking with those who have lived many years.

For example, pretend you had the chance to speak with Moses. His life was divided into three 40-year sections. Which period of his life would you rather talk to him—at 40 years of age, 80 or 120?

The answer should be easy. At 120 years old, Moses would have gained so much understanding and wisdom that you would cherish even a brief discussion with him.

Similarly, the Church is brimming with older members who are battle-tested in the truth and in everyday life. They are almost always eager to share their experiences with you. All you have to do is ask.

Deference and Respect

Leviticus 19:32 is often used in sermons: “You shall rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”

This verse shows that certain actions and soberness are in order when interacting with the aged.

Starting out, it explains that when an elderly person walks in the room—we not only make sure they have a seat available, but also show deference by standing in their presence. This almost-lost sign of respect, above and beyond ordinary etiquette, should be readily practiced by God’s people.

The phrase, “honor the face of the old man,” means to carefully watch your manners when in the presence of an elderly person.

The verse ends with God demonstrating that He commands respect for the elderly. He concludes by saying, in effect, “Obey this command, for I am the Eternal.”

Visit the Widows

Keeping this in mind, take time to show concern for the widows of the Church. They are a special group of the congregation who are often alone.

To better understand and value older members, study the examples of widows throughout the Bible. By looking up the word “widow” in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, you will find God regularly spotlights this oft-neglected part of society. For example, read Exodus 22:22-24 and Isaiah 1:23.

While I was growing up in the Church, the importance of visiting widows was strongly emphasized as was the need to take interest in older generations.

We were taught that sometimes the elderly have restricted mobility and may need assistance to accomplish physical tasks such as grocery shopping or mowing a lawn.

The vital importance of this principle is expanded in the book of James: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (Jms. 1:27).

To most this seems strange: “Washing an older lady’s car or simply listening to an elderly gentleman recount stories from his youth are pure religion?” Yes!

On top of this, you will often walk away from these visits feeling you have gained more than the person you were helping.

Notice the compassion and kindness Ruth extended to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth was in no way bound to Naomi once her son died. She could have gone about her own activities and stayed with her own people. Instead, she put her mother-in-law’s needs ahead of her own. (Read the book of Ruth to learn the whole story.)

Looking back, we know Ruth was richly blessed for her endeavors and is even included in the Messianic line. She sought to serve someone else and, in the end, her own needs—and far more!—were provided.

In the same way, always be on the lookout for ways to help the elderly.

No Generation Gap

In society, there are many different generations. According to Dictionary.com Unabridged, a generation can be “a group of individuals, most of whom are the same approximate age, having similar ideas, problems, attitudes, etc.”

In the last 100 years, as many as six generations have been present. Each of these generations most readily associates with those of their same age group. Speaking with any other generation is often viewed as undesirable. This is known as a generation gap.

In the Church, however, there should never be a generation gap. Recall Proverbs 4:5. We are to strive to “get wisdom” in everything we do, whether chatting with teenage friends, having dinner with parents or reading a book to a toddler. This is especially true when “mining” for nuggets of wisdom from older members.

Those who invest time with the elderly find that they gain far more from one hour of conversation, than 10 hours with their peers. Soaking up rich understanding available free of charge from those with hoary heads will teach you countless practical solutions to life and broaden your views on practically every topic.

Often, young people think adults cannot understand their lot in life. But remember what is recorded in Ecclesiastes 1:9: “…there is no new thing under the sun.” With whatever troubles you are facing, rest assured that someone else has faced and overcome a similar problem.

Regularly seek the counsel and wisdom of elderly Church members. As a younger person, you will most readily rely on emotion to make decisions. This is simply because you have not experienced many decades of life. Older generations, however, make wonderful sounding boards, helping you put emotions aside and cut to the heart of the matter.

During the California Gold Rush of 1849, many people were told to, “Go west, young man.” To seek the golden wisdom of those with a hoary head, we do not need to travel thousands of miles. Instead, we simply have to change how we vest our time—finding every opportunity to serve those who are elderly.

To coin a phrase, “Go vest, young man!”