IN the WORLD September 18, 2005

TAKING FOR ONESELF?

Last Thursday, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (“the ethics committee”) of the U.S. House of Representatives cited Representative Charles B. Rangel for his “pattern of indifference or disregard for the laws, rules and regulations of the United States and the House of Representatives.” That same day, the committee’s investigative subcommittee transmitted a Statement of Alleged Violations regarding the conduct of Representative Maxine Waters. At issue in both cases is whether these members of Congress used the powers of their office for personal, financial, and/or political gain. These observations are not meant to pick on members of one political party—these are just the latest two members of Congress to come under such scrutiny.

GIVING OF ONESELF!

The Christian standard of behavior, regardless of the arena of life in which it is expressed, finds its model in the teaching and behavior of Jesus Christ. Rather than focusing on how much we can “get away with,” the Bible demands that we practice the opposite: we give ourselves in service to others. The approach of Jesus and the approach of the world could not be more different!

1.What is it about political power that seems to make ethical breaches so common?

2.Given the difference between how politics is often practiced and how Christians are called to live, should Christians be involved in politics? Why, or why not?

3.How do we protect ourselves from being taken advantage of as we give of ourselves in service to others?

4.What evidence is there in your life that you are living up to the example of Jesus?

5.What is your church doing in your community to exemplify the Christian spirit of serving others? What else could it do?

—Charles R. Boatman