CENTENARIAN'S CHURCH SERVICE
In 1995, Soon-nyeo Kim, an 80-year-old deacon at a small church in Bellflower, California, took on a mission to save her congregation. With fewer than 100 people, the church had fallen behind on utility bills, and the debt was growing.
Soon-nyeo, walking with a cane, began collecting recyclables from the streets. Each day, she gathered bottles and paper, selling them at a recycling center for over $200 a month. She gave every penny to the church.
Her faithful giving kept the church afloat during those hard times. She continued this service for more than 20 years, even past her 100th birthday. Her selfless act of service embodies several powerful biblical truths.
Her perseverance in "doing good" for decades, into her elder years, exemplifies the biblical truth that God is faithful to sustain His servants through every season of life. As it says in Isaiah 46:4, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you."
Soon-nyeo's consistent, sacrificial giving mirrors the profound lesson of the widow's mite (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4). Just as Jesus commended the poor widow who gave all she had, Soon-nyeo's contributions, though small in worldly terms, represented her entire livelihood and a deep trust in God's provision. This act underscores that God values the heart and sacrifice behind the giving more than the quantity (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Her life also aligns with Galatians 6:9: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Ultimately, her life serves as a living testament to the call to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and to live out the principle that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
Soon-nyeo Kim went home to be with the Lord in 2015, a few years after turning 100. Her ministry in her later years shows that our elder years can still be a vibrant period of fruitful ministry and unwavering devotion to the Lord's work.
We can learn a lot from devoted elders like Soon-nyeo Kim who faithfully serve the Lord with commitment despite personal challenges. Their lives truly embody a powerful testament to selfless service and unwavering dedication to the Lord's work. What a blessing to have such examples of steadfastness within a congregation.
Seeing the devotion of elders can inspire young people to serve the Lord with the same selflessness and commitment. By following their example, the next generation can actively contribute their energy and talents to the church's mission. This ensures the continuation of faithful service and a strong, vibrant community for years to come.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
Psalm 92:14
RIGHTEOUS LIFE BRING'S A BLESSED OLD AGE