Rethinking Old Age

Worried about retirement? It’s never too late to contribute to God’s 401(k) plan.

In the early Bronze Age, life expectancy at birth was 18 years. In the Roman Empire, it was 22. In Massachusetts in 1776, it was 36 years.

Life expectancy in the United States (as of 2022) is up to a remarkable 77 years. As we approach the 250th birthday of our country, we can celebrate that life expectancy has more than doubled over the course of our nation’s history.

When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the older men in the room were 36. Today, our senior citizens are in their 70s and 80s.

The time has come for us to take a fresh look at old age. James Chappel of Duke University says that there is no “natural” way to age. Instead, he says, “we have to be taught, by our cultural and political and religious institutions, how to do it well.” The Atlantic magazine reports that since many people live vigorously into their 80s, old age can be exciting, challenging and interesting.

God has a message about what it means to age well. Speaking...