What does Scripture Say About This ...

[Yesua888]

Yes, the younger generation (ages 30–50) should respect the older generation’s way of life — not out of obligation, but because their values often reflect wisdom, resilience, and sustainability.

Older generations, especially those who lived through economic hardship (e.g., the Great Depression, post-war periods), developed habits of conservation, frugality, and resourcefulness — such as repairing instead of replacing, growing food, reusing materials, and avoiding debt. These behaviors weren’t just about saving money; they reflected long-term thinking, environmental awareness, and respect for labor and materials.

While younger, higher-earning adults may not need to live this way, dismissing these habits as outdated ignores their deeper value. In fact:

• Gen Z and younger millennials are reviving frugality — not out of necessity, but as a conscious choice for financial peace, sustainability, and independence.
• Frugality is becoming a “new status symbol”, with younger people embracing minimalism, secondhand shopping, and intentional spending.

Respecting these older lifestyles doesn’t mean copying them exactly, but recognizing the principles behind them: stewardship, resilience, and delayed gratification. These are timeless — and increasingly relevant in an age of climate crisis and economic uncertainty.

What does Scripture teach about this?
https://www.firstmerchants.com/reso...-habits--how-gen-x--z-and-millennials-compare


https://medium.com/@patrick-oh-sgli...rends-a-tale-of-saving-contrasts-11ab840b676f

 

[TitusTwoWife]

I love minimalism and only buying what I will use or value. I think its very sad that so many I know have garages and storage units full of stuff that will one day be someone's problem to sort through and toss. It represents, in some cases, a lot of hard work with very little of true value to show for it.

 

[bobinfaith]

Hello everyone;

Growing up on the tail end of baby boomers, my siblings and I were Air Force brats. My parents instilled discipline to include addressing them and all adults with yes and no sir, yes and no ma'am, we dared not speak back, etc...

Still, I gave my parents a hard time that included problems in junior high and my sophomore year in high school.

After sampling the world as a young man I settled down and began to respect myself and others.

I believe for many of us, our parents will always know us better than we know ourselves. Though I disappointed my Dad and Mom during those rebellious days, they knew in time I would come around.

Jeremiah 31:16-17, 16 Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, says the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country. - RSV

It's a relief knowing God's hand had to be in it, because deep down, I believe our parents prayed for us.

God bless you all.

Bob

 

[Yesua888]

Hello everyone;

Growing up on the tail end of baby boomers, my siblings and I were Air Force brats. My parents instilled discipline to include addressing them and all adults with yes and no sir, yes and no ma'am, we dared not speak back, etc...

Still, I gave my parents a hard time that included problems in junior high and my sophomore year in high school.

After sampling the world as a young man I settled down and began to respect myself and others.

I believe for many of us, our parents will always know us better than we know ourselves. Though I disappointed my Dad and Mom during those rebellious days, they knew in time I would come around.

Jeremiah 31:16-17, 16 Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, says the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country. - RSV

It's a relief knowing God's hand had to be in it, because deep down, I believe our parents prayed for us.

God bless you all.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Your post has brought up a memory of about 10 years ago when we were entertaining a young couple and a little 6 or 7 year old girl.

This girl was quiet and shy, all the time until she was instructed to lay down on our bed. She was also instructed to give each one of us a kiss and hug and she refused, stepping back.
I said, "that is okay, really, children need to be careful of strangers."
When the little girl's father came back into the room, I explained what I meant "stranger danger" ... his partner (my daughter) was so embarassed with my explanation of "stranger danger" and asked me to keep quiet.

Well, I planted the seed, and that is what mattered to me; my daughter's reprimand, fell on deaf ears : )

This is off-topic, but I thought I would share it, because it meant a lot to me at the time, and still does.

The other thing that prompted me to share was the past few days experiences with a python, and today a goanna (both huge).

Our peafowl (3), guineas (2) and chickens (4) have been staying around the house for about a week, not leaving the verandah or front lawn (I was wondering why?). We put all the birds inside the Pea House at night, for safety (we have lost quite a few birds over time). The last few days the birds have been reluctant to come out in the morning, and this is unusual. Then we discovered the predators ...

Children have inbuilt instincts (Holy Spirit?) as do animals, and we so often fob them off, and turn a deaf ear.

Another thing that I think I have shared before, is that my childhood was pretty awful, where my Sis and I had to be quiet no matter how much evil was being perpetrated by a family member. Our little spirits knew that this behaviour was wrong, besides it being terrifying ...

 

[David]

What does Scripture teach about this?

This is looking at it through culture. God speaks to it through command. Respect for older people is not about whether you like their lifestyle or agree with their habits. It’s about whether you fear God. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord” ~Leviticus 19:32. God ties honoring the aged directly to reverencing Him. That settles it.

Now, here’s where it gets real. Older generations may have learned frugality through hardship. That can be good. Scripture calls that kind of thinking wisdom when it’s rooted in diligence. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty” ~Proverbs 21:5. A person who thinks ahead, who doesn’t waste, who uses what God has given wisely, that lines up with stewardship.

But don’t miss this. The Bible never says frugality itself is righteousness. You can save every dollar, reuse everything you own, and still have a heart far from God. Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” ~Luke 12:15. That cuts both ways. The spender and the saver can both be driven by the same problem, just wearing different clothes.

So the issue is not old ways versus new ways. The issue is the heart before God. God’s design is that truth flows from one generation to the next. “The aged men be sober… sound in faith… The aged women… that they may teach the young” ~Titus 2:2-4. Notice what gets passed down. Not just habits. Faith. Sound doctrine. Godly living.

That’s the real inheritance. So yes, respect the older generation. Not because they lived through hard times, but because God commands it. Yes, learn from their wisdom where it lines up with Scripture. Stewardship, discipline, patience, those are biblical.

But don’t elevate cultural trends like “minimalism” or “sustainability” into something spiritual. Scripture never does that. At the end of the day, it comes back to this. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” ~1 Corinthians 4:2.

Faithful to what? Not to a generation. Not to a trend. Faithful to God. That’s the line. Stay there, and you won’t drift.

 

[bobinfaith]

What does Scripture teach about this?

This is looking at it through culture. God speaks to it through command. Respect for older people is not about whether you like their lifestyle or agree with their habits. It’s about whether you fear God. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord” ~Leviticus 19:32. God ties honoring the aged directly to reverencing Him. That settles it.
Now, here’s where it gets real. Older generations may have learned frugality through hardship. That can be good. Scripture calls that kind of thinking wisdom when it’s rooted in diligence. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty” ~Proverbs 21:5. A person who thinks ahead, who doesn’t waste, who uses what God has given wisely, that lines up with stewardship.

But don’t miss this. The Bible never says frugality itself is righteousness. You can save every dollar, reuse everything you own, and still have a heart far from God. Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” ~Luke 12:15. That cuts both ways. The spender and the saver can both be driven by the same problem, just wearing different clothes.

So the issue is not old ways versus new ways. The issue is the heart before God. God’s design is that truth flows from one generation to the next. “The aged men be sober… sound in faith… The aged women… that they may teach the young” ~Titus 2:2-4. Notice what gets passed down. Not just habits. Faith. Sound doctrine. Godly living.

That’s the real inheritance. So yes, respect the older generation. Not because they lived through hard times, but because God commands it. Yes, learn from their wisdom where it lines up with Scripture. Stewardship, discipline, patience, those are biblical.

But don’t elevate cultural trends like “minimalism” or “sustainability” into something spiritual. Scripture never does that. At the end of the day, it comes back to this. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” ~1 Corinthians 4:2.

Faithful to what? Not to a generation. Not to a trend. Faithful to God. That’s the line. Stay there, and you won’t drift.

Hello David;

Well said and I agree, "This is looking at it through culture. God speaks to it through command."

We need to understand God's commands are not culture which changes through time and trends of "what's right," instead God's commands are obedience and fear in the Lord, always remains constant.

"Older generations may have learned frugality through hardship." When we were younger and saw the ways of our elders, I feel we are inspired and pick up and practice by watching their example.

God bless everyone.

Bob