Wanted - Good and Faithful Servants

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV)

Growing up I never really knew much about public servants. Like nearly everyone else in the Forties, I had heard Roosevelt speak on the radio as the family huddled around our old Zenith and watched the light modulate with his voice. The older ones understood his message.

Our family lived in Salisbury when people were starting to buy Television sets. One understanding neighbor used to roll up their window and let us boys watch Hopalong Cassidy. One day instead of Hoppy, I saw Ike and decided immediately that I liked his style. Gov. Luther Hodges also made a good impression on me as a teenager.

My Granddaddy Samuel seemed to me like a good public servant. He sold people Fords with a great deal of pride, and in the early decades of the Twentieth Century, he used to teach people how to drive and repair their cars. He stayed with the same job for over fifty years in the same small town. "Mr. Sam" cared for his parents in their old age, and raised six good children and died as patriarch to many loving grandchildren. He led singing at a little country church, and used an F sharp pitch pipe to get just the right tone for our - none too shabby four part harmony style.

Have you heard the old saying "let George do it?" JW Wilson was that kind of man. He had a boy that wanted to play Little League baseball. The High Point Yankees organized and needed a coach. JW agreed to help even though he was as busy as all the other Dads were. The bad news for me was that his son was a good pitcher. I wanted to show my fastball, curve ball, slider and the knuckle ball uncle Hal taught me and the other nephews. But, that would have to come later. JW patiently worked with us boys to get uniforms that looked like the real Yankees, and took us to the NC state tournament. I have always thought Mr. Wilson was a good and faithful public servant.

Our community is in the process of electing some new public servants. For the most part, I think we all want people to serve this good town who have already proven that they are good and faithful public servants. Certainly, we do not want people serving our town who are bad and unfaithful servants. We ask for recommendations when we are choosing a new doctor, dentist, lawyer, teacher, clammer, hairdresser and yes - preacher. Before we make a change, we want to feel some assurance that we will receive good and faithful service.

A person who is elected or appointed to public office in a small town like ours has the unique opportunity to prove that they can handle relatively small affairs that affect a small population. Moreover, if a person proves to be good and faithful in this task, they will be qualified to handle larger responsibilities and budgets in the future.

If a parent decides to be a Little League Baseball, Football, Basketball or Soccer coach, he or she had better arrange all their priorities to be at practice and the games on time with all the preparation that is required to please the children, parents and the community. No one will accept the excuse that the Coach had to work late on the job, had to cook dinner, or had to run to Wal-Mart.

Likewise, whenever a person decides to offer themselves as public servants, they must please the public they serve. Personal interest must take a back seat to the greater public good. Ultimately, even part-time public servants must answer to God for the way in which they handle the mantle of leadership. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)

Neighbors and friends, if you are already serving this community, please do so with a sense of goodness and faithfulness to the people who elected you. Candidates, please commit yourself to this same attitude of Godly service even while you are running for office. We are looking for the best servants, and you will have the best support when you serve us as if you are serving God.

You are encouraged to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments. David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at http://www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com.