Partiality: Ageism
“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
There is a dividing mechanism in our church today that is rising up and taking place in our culture - stealing what wisdom we could be grasping. This dividing mechanism is known as Ageism. Ageism is defined as generalizing, stereotyping, or discriminating against a certain group based on their age. In order to be the true Bride of Christ - this has to stop.
What is special about 1 Timothy 5:1-2 is the fact that it calls to all ages, both young and old. The Bible calls all ages to the Gospel and signals all ages to do the will of God.
We have no right to dismiss those who God has called to do His will.
We see Ageism take form in two different ways:
1) Ageism against younger people – We’ve all heard the phrase, “Oh, what do you know? You’re too young.” But the Bible says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) If the Bible says don’t let anyone look down on you for your age, then we need to also stop looking down on other people for their age.
2) Ageism against older people – “They’re too old, they’re irrelevant to the church.” “Their opinion doesn’t matter.” “I wish they would all just die off.” These phrases are disgusting.
Psalm 92:14 tells us that “They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.” The Church has the honor to go to the older generation and seek the wisdom that they have gained. We should never take advantage of this. The older generation still, and always will, play a part in the Kingdom of God.
The beauty of God surrounds and moves through people of all ages, and all ages are important to Him and to His kingdom. All ages, all peoples, were made to worship Him.
“Both young men and maidens; old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord. For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.” Psalm 148:12, 13