He pointed out that the problem with materialism is that you can't take it with you when you die. He illustrated the problems with the pursuit of materialism by using his own life. It was only when he was fired and lost some of the trappings of materialism that his life began to change. He realized that his job had been his god and he had to give it up. He also realized he was a sinner, which is a foreign concept in today's society.
Nobody is a sinner anymore.
We're all dysfunctional. It is this same sort of change of heart that Thomas feels the nation needs if the government and country are to change. Government is only a reflection of the people. Following his prayer, individual prayers were led at the dozens of tables to pray for the elected officials and clergy of the area. Later, residents gathered on the Downtown Cumberland Mall in observance of the day.