Brian’s Gifts

By C.C. Owens You’ve been saving your money, collecting it in a jar, maybe even putting it in a savings account at your local bank. Your money is growing.  So, what do you do next? Perhaps this story can help. Once upon a time there was a boy. We’ll call him Brian. He worked hard at school and played hard at sports. His big sister Libby was the same way.  She loved to run and play ball, and even though she was older, they would often play together. Brian loved his sister Libby and was glad his parents had adopted her before he was born. Brian just couldn’t imagine his family without her. One day, Brian saw his mother writing checks for their monthly bills. She wrote one to the children’s home where Libby had been adopted. “Do you have to pay them so...

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Job Profile: Be a Party Helper

By C.C. Owens Hey Kids! Have you ever helped your mom with your little brother or sister’s birthday party? Worked in the nursery at church? Helped your parents prepare and clean up for a cookout or dinner with friends? If so, you may have what it takes to be a party helper. What does a Party Helper do? Party helpers can do a lot of things to make it easier for the person hosting the party. They can open the door for guests as they arrive, direct people to food, activities, and bathrooms, pick up trash from the party area, serve cake and drinks to party goers, help organize and run games, watch to be sure young children don’t leave the activity area. Tips for when you’re a Party Helper: Always be on time. Ask the host what time you are to arrive and...

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Do You Have a Dream?

By C.C. Owens Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. ~ Proverbs 13:4 Working hard? Yuck. That sounds like … well … work! Why would I want to do that? Because working hard gets you places. Truett Cathy, the founder of the Chick-fil-A restaurants, sold bottles of Coca-Cola door-to-door in his neighborhood before he started high school. NBA legend Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. He then practiced tirelessly all summer, made it on the team that fall, and proceeded to average 25 points a game during his last two years of high school. The rest of his stats can be found in the Basketball Hall of Fame. What do these two guys have in common? They didn’t just dream – they worked! That’s how you...

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Stuck in the Weeds (Part 2)

by C.C. Owens “Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” ~Matthew 20:15 (NLT) Today’s money story is based on the Parable of the Workers found in Matthew 20:1-16. Last month, our story began as Jacob worked for one afternoon on Mrs. Denman’s flowerbeds. Another boy, Bobby, started working later, but they both got paid the same – fifteen dollars. When Jacob questioned Mrs. Denman about their wages, she said she wanted to be generous to Bobby… All that night and the next day during school, Jacob thought about Bobby getting fifteen dollars. It just wasn’t right, and it really made him mad. Finally, Jacob decided today would be different because he was going to show up late....

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Stuck in the Weeds (Part 1)

Stuck in the Weeds (Part 1)

by C.C. Owens “Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” ~Matthew 20:15 (NLT) Today’s money story is based the Parable of the Workers found in Matthew 20:1-16. Jacob pedaled quickly down the street of old houses. Mrs. Denman was paying him five dollars per flowerbed to clear weeds, and she had a lot of flowerbeds. When her house came into view, Mrs. Denman was already sitting on the front porch. “My, you’re moving fast,” she called to him. Jacob dropped his bike on the sidewalk and tried to catch his breath. “Wanted … to get … a lot done.” “Glad to hear it. Well, you know what to do. The tools are in the shed, and there’s a water pitcher on the porch, if you...

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