Retirement Time

For them, there was no twilight hour to sit and look back at the old days. They had their hands on the plough until the sun went down.

Examples to us

Moses continued to climb the mountain until the Lord took him. Elijah’s voice was penetrating the strongholds of the enemy and the hearts of the people until the Lord gave him rest. Paul’s feet trod the Roman roads in good times and bad, in weakness and in strength until executed by a mad emperor. His great heart carried his body for, above anything else, he wanted to preach the gospel to all men.

There were less prominent people, too. Tabitha was probably confined to her house but she never tired of helping others in whatever way she could. The divine record speaks of clothes made with loving hands, a shawl to warm a little child, a garment to give an old sister shelter from the wind. Tabitha expected no payment for such work, for she would remember the words of her Master, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my breth­ren you have done it unto me.”

My father would say, “Christadel­phians should not have to work because they have so much to do in the work of the Truth.” How true this is. But he would agree with us that, because of our mortal lot, we have to labor on to provide for our families and not be a burden to others. Nevertheless, because of the system under which we are blessed to live, many can retire before their strength is gone and seize a wonderful opportunity.

Retirement opportunity

In many ecclesias, there is a source of working power that is largely untapped. Many of our senior members may reply that their health does not permit canvassing with leaflets, of going to missionary fields or even doing platform work. But there are many other areas of preaching and service that can be done.

Tabitha was involved in a “cottage project” and it affected the lives of many. The power of her preaching by the work of her hands reached into the streets and homes even as she sat in her chair by the fireside. The gift given carried a message that her Lord desired to give the gift of life to those who would believe and obey as did this dear sister. If they did, they would one day wear a robe that would not fade or wear out.

Today, many of our sisters prepare garments for the young people of Israel. A similar ministration can be directed to our young families too, as they get started in these difficult times. The spiritual good done by such activity is great. A helping hand offers practical assistance and the knowledge that someone cares.

Clearly, being confined or semi-confined in our homes does not restrict us in ministering to those within and without.

Practical ideas

There are some other things that can also be done.

The campaign committee can prepare a letter and provide leaflets to be mailed out on a weekly basis. There is a predictable return to such direct mail advertising as has been experienced by those who do it. How wonderfully exciting it would be to have someone come to the Truth from this initiative.

Neighbors or friends can be invited over for a “Get to know you” cup of coffee. Those who have traveled to other parts of the world could invite others into their homes with pictures of their trip as the starting point.

Grandchildren are a field ripe to harvest. They bring to our homes a brightness of chatter and activity. They are delighted to have someone who has the time to work with them at their speed and teach them lessons. We can do this from books or by taking them on walks through God’s world. A benefit is also received by the mothers who are given relief from their varied duties.

Again, we can reach out to friends and neighbors by collecting stamps for conversion into money for the mission field. Ask them to save stamps for us and they will ask why. This gives us a reason to speak of our faith and our desires to help others share the wonder­ful gift that has been given to us.

Remember birthdays and those confined to homes and hospitals, the very lonely and those who have missed many of the meetings. You do not have to be a great writer. A nice card and a few kind thoughts are all that are needed. Set yourself a goal of doing one a week. When cards are sent to hospitals or nursing homes, they can even affect the nursing staff, who are impressed by the loving care shown by believers to one another.

New Testament homes

Those in the days of Tabitha had many “cottage projects” and from them ecclesias mushroomed all over.

Little study groups can be held in homes. Friends feel comfortable and can find help for life’s needs among brethren and sisters. Many of us are well blessed with comfortable homes and are able to carry out such a project.

Early retirement

With brethren and sisters retiring at earlier ages, more time is available to study scripture so that we are better able to deal with affairs within the ecclesia. We remember the admonition of Paul, “Is it so, that there is not a wise man amongst you?” They needed, and we need, more understanding people to help the ecclesial members in every respect.

We can work to build our barns then sit back and enjoy them in our retirement years. We can sit in our comfortable pews and say we deserve a rest and we are retired in the full sense of the word. But in so doing, our ecclesial library remains full of pamphlets that have never been distributed. Could we not keep a few in our car and leave one a day in some suitable spot? We can leave it with a prayer that, having sown good seed, it will develop to God’s honor and glory.

While we still have the strength, let us stop by the ecclesial hall and clean or do some needed maintenance. Consider attending extra meetings to offer support even though it may not be our regular Bible class night.

Opportunity for all

Whatever our circumstances maybe, we are always needed in the Lord’s service. We all have talents. Even though we may not feel we do, we do well to remember that it was the man with one talent who hid it in the earth.

We, too, will have to answer to our Lord. We do not want to face him with a legacy of misspent opportunities. While therefore it is the season to be doing, let us be about His service.