Wednesday's thoughts

"Joe, the Plumber's Pledge"
It's been on my mind a great deal lately when John McCain and Barack Obama continue to struggle with each other over Joe "the plumber's" vote. How important this anonymous man has become. The election could be decided on what people determine to be his worth and on the basis of whose economic recovery and health insurance plan would fit him best.

In the Gospel of Matthew we find words that seem so foundational to the Christian message. Jesus is quoted as saying, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled; and whoever humbles themselves will be exalted."

It almost sounds as if we are being told that we are most put down when we are lifted up. It seems to imply that the measure of our greatness comes in the way in which we serve.

In Sunday's sermon I want to have us look at the least among us and the most among us. I want to consider the way in which we are to serve and, having lived a life of service, how our lives are exalted.

There are people we all know whose importance is not measured by the money the make, nor the fame they acquire. It is not the power they amass nor the importance they are given by other people.

The greatest people are they who realize they are put here on earth to make a difference and the end of the day goes not to those who have accumulated but to those who have invested wisest.

The best investment is not in stock, or gold, or real estate, or bonds, or corporations, or knowledge. The best investment is in people. It comes in our ability to look at the potential of people to rise above all the things that put us down and to lend a hand to all those things that promote goodness and mercy.

Joe, "the plumber" has influenced the presidential election in ways nobody, not even Joe, could imagine. He has entered the conversation as a representative of all of us. What is his pledge to the future? What is our pledge?

That is something we will resolve on November 2nd.

What do you have to invest in the future? Who are the truly great people? What makes them great?

If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.


I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster