Does Living Longer Always Mean That God Has Blessed Us More?

[BibleLover]

Something I've been thinking about lately is the tendency many Christians have to associate a long life with God's blessing.

Of course, a long life can be a blessing. The Bible itself sometimes speaks of longevity that way. But does that mean that someone who dies younger was less blessed, less faithful, or less approved by God?

I don't think the Scriptures support that conclusion.

Consider Enoch.

Enoch lived 365 years. That sounds like an incredibly long life to us, but compared with the other people living before the Flood, his life was relatively short. Yet Enoch was clearly one of God's outstanding servants. The Bible says that he walked with God, and Hebrews says that he had the testimony of having pleased God.
We don't know exactly why God “took” Enoch. We can make some reasonable inferences, especially considering the violent world in which he lived and the courageous message he proclaimed and how probably God took his life to protect him of being massacred, but the Bible doesn't give us all the details. Still, one thing is certain: Enoch's shorter lifespan was not evidence of a lack of God's blessing.


Then there is Moses.

Moses lived 120 years, and the Bible says that his eyesight had not failed and his vigor had not diminished. That is remarkable. It certainly seems that God sustained him in an extraordinary way.
But eventually Moses died too. He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of what happened at Meribah, yet that does not mean that God stopped valuing him or that his entire life of faithful service had been forgotten.
Moses had completed an extraordinary assignment.


And then we have perhaps the most striking example of all: John the Baptist.

Jesus said that among those born of women, there had not been anyone greater than John. Yet John was imprisoned and eventually murdered by Herod. Think about that for a moment. If living a long life were always proof of God's blessing, what are we supposed to conclude about John?
Obviously, we cannot conclude that God had abandoned him. John had courageously fulfilled his assignment. He had prepared the way for Christ, spoken the truth, and remained faithful even when that put him in danger.

So perhaps we need to be careful about how we look at longevity. A long life can be a blessing, but a shorter life is not necessarily evidence that God has withheld his blessing.

This thought becomes especially relevant as we get older. Living into old age can certainly bring blessings and opportunities to learn. An elderly person may develop humility, patience, gratitude, and the ability to accept help from others. Those caring for them can learn compassion, patience, and self-sacrificing love.
But we also know that growing very old can be difficult. Many elderly people eventually become dependent on others. Some are fortunate enough to have family members who can care for them. Others don't have family, or their relatives may simply be overwhelmed with jobs, children, financial problems, and their own responsibilities. Sometimes the result is loneliness or being placed in a nursing home.
I'm not saying that living longer is a curse. Far from it. Both the elderly person and the caregiver can learn valuable lessons from that stage of life. But perhaps we should recognize that living as long as possible is not necessarily the only desirable outcome from God's perspective.

After all, what matters more: the length of a life or the faithfulness demonstrated during that life?


Jesus himself is the ultimate example. His earthly life was relatively short. Yet no human life was ever more meaningful or more successful.

Perhaps we should distinguish between the length of a life and the completeness of a life.

Some people live many decades and continue faithfully serving God until the end. Others may have fewer years but demonstrate extraordinary faith, courage, and integrity during the time they have.

Of course, we should be humble about this. We cannot look at someone who dies and claim to know exactly why God allowed it to happen. And we certainly shouldn't tell grieving people that God took their loved one because “their work was finished.”
We simply don't know. But the examples of Enoch, Moses, and John the Baptist do show something important:

God's approval cannot be measured with a calendar. Whether we live longer or shorter lives, what ultimately matters is that, when our life is considered as a whole, we have shown faith, courage, love, and loyalty to God.

So rather than worrying excessively about whether we will live to 70, 80, 90, or beyond, perhaps the better question is:

Am I using the life I have right now to demonstrate faith, courage, love, and loyalty to God?

 

[BibleLover]

Elijah is another interesting addition, because his case creates a striking parallel with both Enoch and Moses. Although each account is different, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah experienced three exceptional departures

Enoch “walked with God,” and then God “took him.” His life ended unusually early compared with the other pre-Flood patriarchs, but his disappearance from the scene followed a life of exceptional faithfulness.

Moses completed his enormous assignment: leading Israel out of Egypt and bringing the nation to the border of the Promised Land. Then he died, and Deuteronomy emphasizes that God himself buried him, with no one knowing the location of his grave.

Elijah also completed a major assignment. He defended true worship during one of Israel's darkest periods, confronted Ahab and Jezebel, challenged the prophets of Baal, and helped prepare the way for the continuation of his work through Elisha. Then something remarkable happened: Elijah was taken away from the scene in a windstorm.

Their extraordinary role came to an end, and God personally intervened in removing them from the scene.

Of course, we should be cautious about saying that all three cases mean exactly the same thing. The Bible gives different details about each one, and it doesn't explicitly say, “God took them because their work was finished.” But as an observation, the comparison is fascinating.

An additional detail about Elijah is particularly touching because, shortly before his departure, he had become discouraged and even expressed a desire to die. Yet God did not simply allow Elijah to die immediately. Instead, God strengthened him, gave him further instructions, helped him understand that he was not alone, assigned him additional work, and eventually arranged for Elisha to succeed him. Only after this transition was completed was Elijah taken away.

That sequence seems significant. God did not discard Elijah when he became exhausted. He restored him, allowed him to complete his remaining assignment, and then removed him from his role in an extraordinary way.

So perhaps Elijah strengthens the point: The end of a servant's earthly assignment is not necessarily connected to failure, weakness, or loss of divine approval.
Sometimes a person may have completed a unique role that another person is prepared to continue.

In summary we have:

. Enoch — an exceptionally faithful man removed from a violent world.
. Moses — a faithful servant whose extraordinary assignment reached its conclusion.
. Elijah — a prophet removed from His Assignment whose work was transferred to Elisha before he was taken from the scene.
. John the Baptist — a faithful servant whose life ended violently despite Jesus' exceptional praise of him.

Together, they make an even stronger argument that the timing and manner of a servant's death or departure from the scene cannot be used as a measure of God's approval.

I particularly like Elijah in this comparison because his account introduces another important thought: sometimes God does not merely end a servant's life; he brings one phase of service to an end and prepares someone else to continue the work.

 

[SollaSollew]

"Only the good die young"

 

[BibleLover]

"Only the good die young"

There is a truth behind that expression when we consider some of the cases mentioned here. Enoch, John the Baptist, and others like Stephen and James certainly show that a faithful servant's life ending relatively early is not evidence of God's lack of blessing.

But perhaps there is another side to the question as well.

There are also cases where God apparently allowed, or even specifically arranged, for a servant to live longer because something important still remained to be accomplished.

Hezekiah is a fascinating example. God explicitly extended his life by 15 years. The Bible does not tell us all the reasons involved, but it is interesting that Hezekiah apparently had not yet produced an heir when he became seriously ill. The continuation of the royal line of Judah, ultimately leading to the Messiah, may therefore have been one of the important things still involved.

Then we have the apostle John.

We cannot know his exact age at death, but he apparently lived much longer than the other apostles. That longer life allowed him to continue serving during a period when the other eyewitnesses of Jesus were disappearing. Near the end of the first century, he recorded Revelation and continued providing testimony about Christ.

John had already demonstrated remarkable loyalty. He remained with Jesus during his final hours when most of the other disciples had fled, and Jesus entrusted his mother to John's care. His later years then gave him the opportunity to continue fulfilling an important role in the Christian congregation.

So perhaps the picture is more balanced than either “only the good die young” or “the longer you live, the more God has blessed you.”

Some faithful servants may die after relatively few years because their earthly role has already been fulfilled.

Others may live much longer because there is still something important for them to accomplish.

Of course, we cannot apply this formula to every individual or claim that we know why God allows one person to die and another to live longer. But these biblical examples do suggest that the number of years itself is not the measure of God's blessing or approval.

Perhaps what matters is not simply how long we live, but what we do with the years we are given. A shorter life can be faithful and complete. And a longer life can provide opportunities to fulfill responsibilities that could not have been accomplished otherwise.

Either way, God's approval cannot be measured with a calendar.

 

[SollaSollew]

 

[BibleLover]

Well, after listening to the lyrics, I think Billy Joel was using ‘the good’ to mean Virginia's innocence—and he was trying very hard to make sure it died young!”

 

[Spoilmerotten]

Your writings are very special Bible Lover. Very important points, in each of your writings, to make us all stop and think.All of these faithful ones lives are written about in Gods word for a purpose. Thank you!

 

[BibleLover]

We have considered Hezekiah, whose life God specifically extended by fifteen years, and the apostle John, who apparently lived much longer than the other apostles. Another fascinating example is Daniel.

Daniel may have some particularly interesting similarities with the apostle John.


- Both apparently lived long lives

The Bible does not tell us Daniel's exact age when he died, but we know that he was taken to Babylon as a young man and continued serving until at least the reign of Cyrus. That strongly suggests that he lived to an advanced age.

More importantly, Daniel survived an occasion when his life was directly threatened because of his loyalty to God.
The king's decree prohibited anyone from making a petition to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Daniel knew about the decree. He also knew the penalty. Yet Daniel did not compromise. He could have prayed secretly, he could have temporarily changed his routine, he could have reasoned that thirty days was not a long time, but Daniel continued doing what he had always done: He prayed to God.

As a result, he was thrown into the lions' den. From a human point of view, Daniel's life could have ended that night. But God preserved him. Why? Bcause Daniel's work hadn't finished yet. He still had important things to accomplish and important prophecies to record.


- Both received extraordinary visions concerning the future

This may be the most striking similarity between Daniel and John.

Daniel received visions involving kingdoms, world powers, the coming of the Messiah, God's Kingdom, resurrection, and events connected with “the time of the end.”

John, many centuries later, received the Revelation. He too wrote about kingdoms and political powers, persecution, God's Kingdom, judgment, resurrection, and the final victory of God's purpose.

Daniel and Revelation are obviously different books, but the connection between them is remarkable. Both men received prophetic visions that would continue benefiting God's servants long after they themselves had died.

It is fascinating to think about two faithful servants who apparently lived into old age and were entrusted with some of the Bible's most important prophecies concerning the future.


- Daniel was much more than a prophet

Daniel's life is remarkable for another reason. He was not faithful only when praying or receiving visions. He also demonstrated exceptional ability in his daily responsibilities. Daniel served under different kings and even survived the collapse of the Babylonian Empire. Governments changed. Kings came and went. Yet Daniel continued to be recognized for his exceptional qualities.
His enemies carefully examined his work, hoping to find something against him, but they could find no corruption or negligence.
That is an extraordinary testimony. Daniel was apparently intelligent and wise, an exceptional administrator; trustworthy and honest, courageous under pressure and above all, completely loyal to God. Perhaps this is one of the most practical lessons from Daniel's life.

Our faithfulness to God is not demonstrated only by what we do at meetings, in prayer, or when discussing the Bible. Daniel also demonstrated his faithfulness in his professional responsibilities. Even his enemies could not accuse him of corruption or negligence.


- Daniel did not become less useful as he grew older

Sometimes people unconsciously assume that old age means that a person's most useful years are behind them. Daniel challenges that idea. Some of his most important visions appear to have been received late in his life.

Likewise, John apparently received Revelation after decades of Christian service.

This gives us a very encouraging thought, particularly for those of us who are getting older:

Growing older does not necessarily mean that God has finished using a faithful servant. A person's greatest contribution may still lie ahead.

Perhaps someone has accumulated decades of experience, wisdom, endurance, and knowledge that can now benefit others.

Daniel had experienced the Babylonian Empire from the inside.
John had personally known Jesus and had witnessed the beginning of Christianity.
By the end of their lives, both men possessed a perspective that younger servants simply could not yet have. And then, remarkably, both left behind writings that would benefit generations far beyond their own lifetime.


- What does this mean for us?

We do not know how long we will live. Some faithful servants of God died relatively young. Others lived into old age.
We cannot look at the number of years someone has lived and automatically conclude that God has blessed that person more—or less—than someone else.

Enoch, John the Baptist, Moses, Elijah, Hezekiah, John, and Daniel all demonstrate that there is no simple formula.

Sometimes a servant's earthly role may be completed relatively early.

Sometimes a person may be given additional years because there are still responsibilities to fulfill or important things to accomplish.

Of course, we should be humble and avoid claiming that we know why God allows a particular person to die or another person to live longer.

But Daniel and John offer an especially encouraging lesson to those who are getting older:

Do not automatically assume that your most valuable contribution is behind you.

Perhaps your physical strength is not what it once was.
Perhaps you cannot do everything you did when you were younger.
But you may now possess something you did not have then: decades of experience.

You have survived trials.
You have made mistakes and learned from them.
You have seen things change.
You may understand people better than you did when you were young.
And perhaps your experiences, encouragement, wisdom, or testimony can still benefit someone who is younger.

Daniel's later years were not merely a period of waiting for his life to end.

John's later years were not merely retirement from Christian service.

For both men, old age became a period in which they made some of their most enduring contributions.

Perhaps that is something worth remembering. We may not know how many years remain. But as long as we are here, we should not assume that God has finished with us.

The important question is not simply, “How much time do I have left?” Perhaps the better question is:

“What can I still do with the time I have?”

 

[BibleLover]

Elijah's experience may be especially relevant to those of us who have become isolated or discouraged.

It is remarkable what happened to him. Elijah had just demonstrated extraordinary courage. He had stood against the prophets of Baal and witnessed God's powerful intervention. Yet shortly afterward, one threat from Jezebel made him run for his life.

Fear can do strange things to us. Elijah became so discouraged that he wanted to die. He also felt completely alone. He believed that he was the only faithful servant left.

But God was not finished with him. God first allowed Elijah to rest and regain his strength. Then He corrected Elijah's perspective and showed him that he was not alone. There were still thousands who had not bowed to Baal. And then God gave Elijah further work to do.

I find the irony concerning Jezebel particularly interesting. Elijah ran because he believed that Jezebel was going to kill him. But Jezebel did not have the final word.

Elijah continued serving God, and eventually events were set in motion that led to Jezebel's downfall.

Elijah thought that Jezebel was going to determine the end of his story. She didn't.

Perhaps there is an important application for those of us who have left a religious organization and subsequently become isolated. Sometimes we may look at the organization we left behind and feel intimidated by its power and influence. We may think:

"What can I possibly do?"
"Nobody will listen."
"Nothing I say will make any difference."

Or perhaps fear and disappointment have caused us simply to withdraw completely.
But Elijah's experience reminds us that fear can distort our perspective. We may feel alone without actually being alone. We may believe that nothing can change when events are already moving in a direction that we cannot yet see.

I am not suggesting that we should become reckless or deliberately seek confrontation. Nor does every person have to take the same approach. But perhaps we should ask ourselves whether fear or disappointment has caused us to withdraw too completely.

Have we allowed isolation to convince us that our usefulness is over?

Have we allowed fear to prevent us from encouraging others?

Have we become so accustomed to remaining on the sidelines that we have forgotten that God may still have something for us to do?

Those of us who understand prophecy as pointing to the eventual judgment of corrupt religious systems have reason to remember that their apparent power is temporary. Whatever the precise timing and manner in which events unfold, God—not any human organization—will have the final word.

And regardless of how prophecy is fulfilled, Elijah's lesson remains valuable:

The apparent power of an opponent does not mean that our faithfulness is useless.

This may be particularly important for those of us who are getting older. We may no longer have the physical strength we once had.
We may not have a congregation assignment, an official position, or even the friends we once had. But we still have something:

. We have experience.
. We have survived trials.
. We have learned painful lessons.
. We have seen teachings and expectations change.
. We understand deception better than we did when we were younger.
. We can still help someone else.
. We may be able to encourage someone younger.
. We may be able to warn someone who is being deceived.
. We may be able to help someone who feels completely alone.

Perhaps one of the greatest dangers is not becoming physically weaker. It is believing that we no longer have anything to contribute.

Daniel and John remind us that growing older does not necessarily mean that our usefulness has ended.

Jeremiah reminds us that rejection does not mean that our message has lost its value.

And Elijah reminds us that even when fear and discouragement cause us to withdraw, God may still have another assignment waiting for us.

Elijah thought he was finished. God knew otherwise. Perhaps some of us need to remember the same thing.

Do not allow fear, disappointment, or isolation to decide when your usefulness has ended.

 

[BibleLover]

One thing I think we sometimes overlook in the process of awakening is what it can teach us about human approval.

For years, many of us may have unconsciously measured our value by our reputation inside the Organization. A title, a privilege, being considered “spiritual,” receiving assignments, being trusted by the elders, or simply having a good reputation in the congregation could make us feel that we were valuable to Jehovah.

But what happens when we begin to see that the Organization is not the same thing as Jehovah?

At first, it can be painful. We may lose privileges, friends, family, recognition, or even the reputation we spent years building. But there can also be an unexpected benefit: we can finally learn to separate Jehovah's view of us from the Organization's view of us.

Jeremiah is a good example. He wasn't popular. He was rejected, ridiculed, threatened and imprisoned. His faithfulness was not reflected in his reputation among the people he was trying to help.

Elijah experienced something different. After one of his greatest demonstrations of faith, he became exhausted and discouraged and felt completely alone. Yet Jehovah didn't measure his value by how he felt at that moment. He strengthened him and gave him further work to do.

These examples have helped me see something important.

If our motivation to serve Jehovah depends on recognition, titles, privileges, or the approval of other people, then we are not really free. We can become afraid of losing our position, afraid of disappointing people, and eventually more concerned about maintaining our reputation than about doing what we believe is right.

But once that dependence is broken, something changes.

We can serve Jehovah without needing a title.

We can speak the truth without needing people to applaud us.

We can help others without needing recognition.

And even if people misunderstand us or think less of us, we don't have to feel that our value has diminished.

Perhaps this is one of the unexpected lessons of awakening: we may lose a reputation in an organization, but gain freedom from needing that reputation to feel valuable to Jehovah.

And that freedom is precious as we no longer have to ask, “What will people think of me?”

The more important question becomes:

“What does Jehovah think of me, and am I sincerely trying to do what is right?”