November 2, 2008

“The Winning Attribute of Humility” – Matt 23:1-12 – November 2, 2008

In the film, “Trading Places” Edie Murphy played the part of a street bum whose name was Billy Ray Valentine. Dan Aykroyd played the role of Louis Winthorpe III, who was a rich stock broker working for two Wall Street tycoons, the Duke brothers. They came up with a scheme to have Valentine and Winthorpe switch places. Winthorpe, the rich stock broker ends up penniless while Valentine, the bum, becomes successful for the Duke brothers. It’s a hilarious story but a story with a profound truth. The Duke brothers end up losing everything they had while Valentine teams up with Winthorpe and they become rich as they manage to bring down the Duke empire.

It is a modern day example of where “those who exalt themselves are humbled and those who humble themselves are exalted.” Recently many companies and individuals have been humbled since the stock market has lost about 30 percent of its value in the last two months. Consequently, millions of people who have investment portfolios have watched their value go down. The financial crisis has brought the wealthiest nation on the planet to her knees. In the very least it has become a lesson in humility.

Jesus taught his disciples, along with the crowds, that the scribes and Pharisees were living it up like the rich and famous. They enjoyed positions of privilege and took advantage of others with their greed. There was no Wall Street then but they did reap profits in the marketplace. They made every effort to look good and act righteous but they didn’t practice what they preached. They also like to be called rabbi.

I believe Jesus was saying that greatness is defined, not by wealth and prominence, but by humility. Since we live in a society that promotes success and financial independence, we don’t think of humility as being a winning attribute. If anything, the opposite is true; we believe that humility is a sign of weakness. Jesus was actually saying that humility gives us a self-authenticating power because of our relationship with God.

To be humble is to have power? Yes, but not in the sense that we have power because we have become successful or important. What empowers us is our faith commitment to be servants. As Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

Jesus said this because he knows that wealth and success do not bring happiness. When the Duke brothers were watching their empire go down the drain, one of the brothers had a heart attack. The other was so obsessed with his stock losses that he totally ignored the fact that his brother might die. In other words, the need to be successful stood in the way of his compassion.

So, how does one be a servant in the 21st century? First, it means we have integrity. When we commit to something we follow through. Our actions are in sync with our words. There will be times when we fail or make mistakes but by our endurance we can prevail.

In 1928, a thirty-three-old man by the name of Paul Galvin found himself staring at failure. His business failed because his competitors forced him to fold his latest venture in the storage-battery business. Galvin was convinced that he still had a marketable idea, so he attended the auction of his own business. He managed to raise $750 and he bought back the battery eliminator which was part of the inventory. With that he built a new company, one that eventually became a household word: Motorola.

Galvin followed through on his commitment to the industry of battery power. It was risky and he gave everything he had. In the process he maintained his integrity as failure did not keep him from moving forward.

Secondly, we are servants by extending a helping hand to others while expecting nothing in return. There are those who do things to get attention and there are those who do things just because they care. Take for example, a recent story, this past week, that made national news.

Tracy Orr, lost her home; a four bedroom, two bath home, in Pottsboro, Texas. Orr works for All Saints Camp and Conference Center, a Christian group with ties to the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Texas. When her house went on the auction block she was there. During the auction, Marilyn Mock, from Rockwall, Texas approached her. She discovered that Orr’s house would soon belong to someone else. Mock, who is known as the "Rock Lady" for her small business selling flagstone and other rocks in Rockwall, Texas, said she went to the auction with her 27-year-old son to help him buy his first home. He bought his home, and soon afterward Mock came across Orr. Out of compassion for Orr, Mock purchased the house and will make arrangements with for her to pay her back with affordable payments. Mock says she's using one of her business dump trucks as collateral for the $30,000 sale price.

Imagine how our economy would turn around if more people would be willing to extend that kind of help to people who are losing their homes. Not only would it reduce the number of foreclosures, it would give our society hope and restore the attribute of neighborly love.

Third, to be servants in the 21st century is to experience the joy of being disciples through our faithfulness behind the scenes. Most everyone likes to be appreciated for what they do. Words of encouragement and affirmation keep us going. As a pastor I have the privilege of being up front and giving messages. Its always gratifying when you receive feedback. It feels good too when some stranger makes a positive comment about a wedding or funeral that you performed. Throughout my ministry I observe many people who do things behind the scenes. They never receive credit and most are totally unaware of the good they do. When you observe those acts of kindness it helps to keep you humble.

One such person is my wife, Lin. She is the one who lifts me up when I am down. She nurses me when I am sick and she has assumed responsibility to keep me humble. She does many things behind the scenes and receives no credit. It is my wife’s role to make sure that I attend to my family. Sometimes they lose out because of my ministry.

This past week she received an email from our granddaughter in Centerville. Lindsey is in ballet. Every year we take our grandchildren to the Nutcracker, either in Dayton or in Columbus. This has become a tradition in our family. Grandpa buys the tickets and then we all go out to dinner. As a special treat, the grandchildren spend the nite with us. Trust me, that is more work for Lin than it is for me. Lindsey informed my wife that she has just been selected to have a part in the Nutcracker performed by the Dayton Ballet for the 2010 Christmas season. When I heard the news I couldn’t hold back the tears. We are so proud of her. Although her parents have made many sacrifices to keep her in dance, it has been Lin who faithfully reminds me every year that its time to make reservations for the Nutcracker. I believe there is a direct connection between my wife’s faithfulness to our grandchildren and Lindsey’s dream that is about to come true.

I tell this story because it has humbled me. It reminds me of all those humble folks who work behind the scenes, only because they care. As Jesus said, “The greatest among us are servants and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio

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