Guy Waters in his article “Imitating Our Elders?”It shows how we must learn the hard work of past generations. He writes:
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates is quoted regularly as saying: “Today’s children love luxury; they have no manners, they despise the authorities; they do not respect their elders and give preference to conversations about exercise. Today’s children are tyrants, not servants at home. they no longer get up when their elders enter the room. Do you contradict your parents, chat in front of visitors, devour treats at the table, cross your legs and harass your teachers?The above quote is certainly apocryphal, but it resonates with the human experience of generations. Throughout history, older generations have looked over their lenses with disapproval of the values and character of the younger generation.
- Scripture warns us here.
- “Never say.
- Why have the days been better than these?Isn’t it wise to ask like that? (Ecclesiastes 7:10).
- Christians should not yield to the temptation to romanticize the past or demonize the Service to God today.
- Convinced that He called us to this generation and not to another (1 Corinthians 7:17); We are sure that He gives orders sovereignly not only in matters of kings and nations (Proverbs 21:1; Jeremiah 1:10).
- But even in the draw (Proverbs 16:33) and in the lives of sparrows (Matthew 10:29).
However, to serve the Lord effectively in our time, we must understand the times in which we live (1 Chronicles 12:32). When we do this, we see remarkable differences in the West between past and present generations. One particular difference is widespread and worrying. Previous generations were known for their commitment to hard work at the expense of immediate satisfaction; just think of the men and women who came from the Great Depression and World War II. However, the current generation is known for its almost religious attachment to immediate satisfaction.
Has this attachment become particularly evident in an area of life?Personal finance. Inflated consumer debt; Consumer debt charts between World War II and present show a constantly evolving line and then grow strongly Americans borrow more, spend more and save less Reports indicate that the recent recession has mitigated some of the increase in household debt but some analysts believe this trend may be due to greater reluctance by financial institutions to lend than to any new discipline by part of the borrowers.
What can be attributed to this explosion of personal debt?
Dr. Guy Prentiss Waters is a New Testament teacher at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and is the author of how Jesus runs the church.
By Guy Waters. Extract from www. ligonier. org. © 2013 Ligonier Ministries. Original: Emulate our elders.
This article is part of the March 2013 edition of Tabletalk magazine on “A Culture Fascinated by Youth”.
Translation: Isabela Siqueira Critic: Renata Esperito Santo © Ministry Faithful All rights reserved. Website: www. MinisterioFiel. com. br. Original: imitate our elders and work hard or immediate satisfaction?
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