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THE BENEFITS OF
YOUTH
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Many times the Scriptures
delineate between young and old.
1.
David’s words (Ps.
37:25)
I have been
young, and now am old…
2.
Rehoboam erred because he
submitted to the advice of the young men instead of giving heed to the advice of
the older men (I Kings 12:8).
3.
In Titus 2:1-6, Paul gives
instructions to “the aged men” (v. 2), “the aged women (v. 3), “the younger
women” (vs. 4-5), and the “young men” (v. 6).
B.
There are benefits that
belong to both the young and the old.
This morning, we want to examine some of “The Benefits of
Youth.”
I. YOUTH
HAVE TIME TO LEARN
A.
The Bible admonishes us to
get wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
1.
Proverbs
4:7
Wisdom is the
principal thing, therefore get wisdom:
and with all thy getting get under-standing.
2.
Proverbs
16:16
How much better
is it to get wisdom than gold! And
to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
B. Some
things take much time to learn:
1.
Intricate things take time to learn. One must begin with the basics and then
acquire the intricate details (Ex., Holy Spirit).
2.
Difficult things take time to learn. These require rigorous discipline over
extended periods of time (Ex., The Revelation).
3.
Some things are simple to learn, but the more they are studied, the more
they are appreciated by the learner (Ex., baptism).
C.
NOTE: Youth have time to learn from
others.
1.
Timothy learned from
others.
a.
He learned from his grandmother and his mother (II Tim.
1:5).
When I call to
remembrance the unfeign faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy
grand-mother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee
also.
b.
He also learned from his “father in the faith,” Paul (II Tim.
2:2).
2.
Youth should heed Solomon’s
instructions (Prov. 1:8).
My son, hear the
instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy
mother.
II. THE ABILITY TO
DEVELOP AND BE USEFUL IN THE LORD’S SERVICE
A.
Ecclesiastes
12:1
Remember now thy
Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years
draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in
them.
B.
There have been many older
individuals who obeyed the gospel late and wished they had begun
earlier.
1.
Their fears will not allow
them to lead in public worship.
2.
Their lack of knowledge
causes them to be hesitant to teach.
3.
Their mistakes of the past
will not allow them to take positions of leader-ship in the Lord’s
church.
C.
Starting young enables on to
grow, mature, and mold self into a model Christian, a diligent worker, a humble
servant, and a courageous leader for the Lord’s cause.
III. THE ABILITY TO MAKE
SOME MISTAKES WITH MUCH ASSISTANCE
A.
Youth usually have a lot of
zeal, but they do not always possess the knowledge they need. Thus, they make mistakes: say things wrong, teach things wrong, do
some wrong things, and display youthful lusts.
B.
Youth can be easily led by
others and sometimes they are led astray by others.
C.
John Mark was a young man
who made a mistake (Acts 13:13.
Now when Paul
and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to
1.
Barnabas committed himself
to John Mark (Acts 15:37, 39b).
And Barnabas
determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark…and so Barnabas took
John Mark and sailed unto
2.
This young man developed
well in the Lord’s service.
Eventually, Paul desired for him to be with him because he was profitable unto me for the ministry (II Tim.
4:11).
D.
When youth make mistakes,
someone needs to be ready to come to their aid, like Barnabas, to teach them and
encourage them. Paul was there for
Timothy and Titus (See II Timothy 1-2).
1.
Don’t be fearful
(1:7).
2.
Don’t be ashamed of the
testimony of the Lord (1:8).
3.
Hold fast the form of sound
words (1:13).
4.
Be strong
(2:1).
5.
Endure hardness
(2:3).
6.
Study
(2:15).
7.
Shun profane and vain
babblings (2:16).
8.
Flee youthful lusts
(2:22).
9.
Avoid foolish and unlearned
questions (2:23).
10.
II Timothy
2:24-25a
And the servant
of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…
III. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF
YOUTH
A.
No major commitments to
others.
1.
As one gets older, he makes
major commitments to others:
marriage, children, elderly parents, business associates. These things can and do demand time and
attention that keeps one from focusing upon greater spiritual matters (I Cor.
7:32-34).
But I would have
you without carefulness. He that is
unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the
Lord: but he that is married careth
for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is a difference also between a
wife and a virgin. The unmarried
woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and
in spirit: but she that is married
careth for the things of the world, how she may please her
husband.
2.
Youth do not have these
ties. They can come and go and do
as those with commitments cannot: teaching, missionary trips, study,
etc.
B.
The ability to start adult
life properly caring for their physical body.
1.
Our bodies are the temple of
the Holy Ghost. They are to be used
to glorify God (I Cor. 6:19-20).
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
own? For ye are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in
your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
2.
It is sad to see someone in
their 50s and 60s suffering from health and emotional issues because they failed
to take care of self: smoking,
drinking, drugs, late nights, little exercise, fornication, and
hard-living.
C.
They have the ability to
save money that can have a major impact for good upon the cause of
Christ.
1.
The trend of the younger
generation is not to give to churches.
a.
Baby Boomers (ages 35-55) are generous givers but do not tend to give to
churches.
b.
Baby Busters (ages 20-35) give very little money but tend to donate
time.
c.
Only 3 out of 10 “twentysomethings” donated to a church in the past
year.
d.
Middle-class Americans give away 1.2 % to 1.4% of their annual
incomes.
2.
Having money to give is an important element in the giving-process. Saving early can assist one in having
money to contribute.
3.
Two truths will always ring clear:
a.
God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7).
b.
It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts
20:35).
CONCLUSION
A.
Yes, youth has its
benefits. Youth should cherish
these benefits for they quickly pass.
B.
There are many of us who are
older or who are getting older who wish we could go back to our youth with some
of this advice. We would do many
things differently.
C.
We exhort all of our young
people to make it their goal to be as the psalmist who said (Ps.
71:5).
For thou art my
hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust
from my youth.
1. Boomers and Busters: As of 2001, Baby Boomers (ages
35-55) are generous donors but do not tend to give to churches. Baby Busters
(ages 20-35) give very little money at all but tend to give volunteer time.30
George Barna,
Churches Lose Financial Ground in 2000,
news release by Barna Research Group, June 5,
2001.
2. Twentysomethings Give Less:
“Only 3 out of 10 twentysomethings
donated to a church in the past year, which is half the proportion of older
adults (30 percent to 61 percent). (While twentysomethings generally have
smaller income levels than their older counterparts, this measure has nothing to
do with how much the person donates, but whether they contribute financially at
all to churches).”40
3. Giving from Childhood:
People who do not give
philanthropically as youngsters are less likely to do so as they mature and
age.5
AAFRC Trust for
Philanthropy, Giving USA 2002: The Annual Report
on Philanthropy for the Year 2001,
researched and written at the Center on Philanthropy at
4. Charitable Giving (American Middle
Class)
49
Ronsvalle, John L. and Sylvia. The
State of
11
Tim Stafford,
The Anatomy of a Giver: American Christians Are the
Nation’s Most Generous Givers, but We Aren’t Exactly Sacrificing,
Christianity Today, May 19, 1997.
21
George Barna,
Evangelicals Are the Most Generous Givers, But Fewer
than 10 Percent of Born Again Christians Give 10 Percent to Their
Church, news release by Barna Research Group, April 5,
2000.
