Monday, October 29, 2012

Economics Class Homework (Due Thursday, Nov. 1st by classtime)

Wealth: Is It Worth It? by S. Truett Cathy

Chapter 2 - Earn Wealth Honestly (page 65-105)


What were your thoughts on your reading over this chapter?

There is a ten sentence minimum to your post. You do not have to reply to other people's posts.

Be sure to sign your name (first & last) and your class period (Econ 3rd or Econ 6th). ie: Shane Hall, Econ 3rd

34 comments:

  1. Allison Lange (Econ 3rd)October 29, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    I really love how this chapter focuses on how true wealth cannot be obtained without putting all your might into it and working hard. Wealth is not easy or fast, it takes time and preservation. Most of the time the quick easy way is not paved with good intentions, and that makes wealth gained that way worthless. I also like how Mr. Cathy emphasizes kind and honest costumer service. I think it is an excellent point. People respond better to smile and a kind word. I think that is one of the reasons why Chick-fil-a is so successful; it is the smiles that comes with the food. My favorite part of this book so far, is definitely the WIN principle, or the What's Important Now principle. I think this is essential. There are moments when family needs you, and there are moments when business needs you. You cannot try to be there for both because the truth is it spreads you out too thin. You can't fully put yourself in either, which causes both to suffer. I think that family will always come before business, so I think that your priorities need to lean towards your family. Even though I really like the WIN principle, there is a major problem with it. Sometimes what people consider important are, in fact, not important at all in the grand scheme of life. So, I think for the WIN principle to remotely be successful, the person operating by it needs to be a well-prioritized individual, which would include someone who is concerned with other's well being, not just their own.

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  2. Truett Cathy talks a lot about hard work in this chapter. He describes some of the people he has met in his life and how they have shown there hard work. When he talks about the kid who got up early in the mourning and was practicing basketball, I thought that that is what true work is all about. The kid was so focused and had such a great work ethic that when he go to the pros one of his coaches told people that he was obsessed. He worked hard at whatever he did and had a great time while doing it. Truett says that if you work hard at you job you won't get burnt out and that you job will be fun to you. I believe what truett say here. Truett also says that wealth is worth it if you work hard to get that wealth. It if fun to take the time and really appreciate what you have done. In the whole chapter all truett talks about is how important hard work is when you do something. I think that is a great way to live by. This also works because truett Cathy made it big by working really hard to get where he is now. He talks about how the Gordy family worked hard to get there restaurant going and now it is one of the biggest restaurants in Atlanta if not the biggest. I really liked that chapter in the book.

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  3. In this chapter, Truett Cathy explains the importance of working hard for one’s money.
    He says that as he was growing up he was able to watch Frank Gordy work diligently at his restaurant, which eventually became The Varsity. In a way, Truett was lucky to have people who were hard workers surround him during his childhood, so he was able to learn through observation.
    He even states that children these days do not understand the importance of the dollar, and how difficult it is to earn money. This is why he created the WinShape Scholorship at Berry University because Berry focuses on teaching the students the importance of work.Any other types of foundation or event that Truett supports have to do with work ethic. However, he also believes that having a work ethic is not difficult if one loves what he is doing. That is why even though Truett is retired, he makes trips to his restaurants to interact with people because that is what he loves to do. He is convicted that good results do not happen by luck, but how much one applies oneself to the work at hand. Overall, what can be learned from this chapter is that there may be luck in work, but most of the results of a job come from how much effort one puts into the job.
    -Heidi-

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  4. THe chapter "Earn Wealth Honestly" was very interesting to read. Truett Cathy made a lot of great points about how to deal with money and the hard work that comes with it. He talks about how wealth doesn't come easily but that it requires a lot of hard work, endurance, and determination. He also talks about how such an important part of your career is loving what you do and not just working for money. If someone only works for money, then that will not be enough to satisfy them in the long run. He uses an example of how one of his restaurant operators quit his job because he felt "burnout" and he just wasn't exactly enjoying it anymore. Cathy also talks about how important it is for your enjoyment of your job to show to your customer. He uses the example of the owner of the Varsity. He was always in the restaurant walking around and interacting with the customers by asking them how their service was and if they were enjoying themselves. I think this is very important for any restaurant owner. Also, I liked the part where Truett Cathy talked about how even though he is of retirement age, he still continues to work even though he has plenty of money to retire. He does this because he is able and he enjoys what he does.
    Summer Willingham
    Economics 6th

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  5. In Chapter 2 " Earn Wealth Honestly" of Cathy's book, he brings the meat of success into the picture; and that is working to build your wealth in a truthful and effective way. He goes into detail by beginning that God gave us oppurtunities to plow the field but we have to plow it ourselves if we expect it to produce a harvest. Cathy is simply saying without hard work, we cannot be expected to excel in life or wealth. Usually if we do not put in the hard work, and still gain wealth, it can sometimes result in distortions of a fulfilling attitude that knows how to please others. There are many dangers when one simply gains wealth quickly which is why Cathy stresses on the fact that working hard will get you somewhere. He uses numerous examples such as Frank Gordy's success in creating The Varsity. He goes into explaining specifically how positive character and postitive customer service reap a huge harvest because essentially people love it when others are curtious and polite while serving them. In this way, Gordy produced as chain that became a big success while implenting thes characteristics. I agree with Cathy entirely on the subject of this chapter because I believe character and hard work with quality is extremely important in getting to where you aim to go. It is not always easy, but lessons will be learned along the way that will benefit you and give you the confidence you need to be successful.

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    1. iagrre that without hard work that you wont excel in life.

      bowen lader
      6th econ.

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  6. Chapter 2 focuses on hard work and how you will not be successful if you do not put forth your best effort. Truett Cathy explains that God has given us a wonderful world to live in, but he created us to work hard. He did not hand us everything we need in life. Cathy also talks about the importance of having fun and enjoying what you do. When you own a business or you are a part of one it is important to show an interest in the customers. It is important to greet them and talk to them, and be genuine with them. You want them to enjoy their experience so they will come back. Just because something is cheaper, faster, or easier doesn't mena it is better. When working a business or doing anything in life, if you wnat to be successful you have to work hard. You have to be passionate about what you do. Doing your best will always be essential in life in order to achieve success.
    Julia Peavy
    Econ 6th period

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  7. I really like how he starts it off by saying how God gives us everything we need to be successful, but it is up to us to put in the effort to achieve it.Also, Truett's business now, chickfila, reminds me a lot of how he is describing Frank Gordy's restaurant The Varsity. I think they chose a great way to run a business! That being on how they treated there customers at all times, not just sometimes but all the time!Making sure every customer is satisfied is a hard thing to do, and most don't put effort in that. Plus they both loved what they do, and that makes it all the better. I really like Truett Cathys quote, "Love what you do, and you'll never work a day in your life".I that phrase is a part of being successful.I agree with him on burnout too. If you do not put any effort into what you were doing a kinda distance yourself from it you're not gonna remain being successful, because there is no longer hard work put into anything.I think wealth is worth it if you are working hard to earn it! It shows how much your hard work payed off.
    Alysha Amerson
    3rd period Econ

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  8. I think Truett does an excellent job showing how hard work is the only way that you will reach your goal. My favorite story that is mentioned is the story describing the work at the Varsity. Because I have experienced the Varsity multiple times, it is easier to understand how fun their hardwork is. It was interesting to learn the founder of the Varsity dropped out of college, but yet was able to become worth more than all of his college friends due to his hard and honest work. I like how Truett Cathy approaches the idea that there can be a fun side to hard work and it can be enjoyable if you are bringing smiles out and satisfying your customers. The owners of the Varsity treat their management as stewardship instead of ownership, which is how American business leaders should act as well. The story of the football player, Brad, demonstrates that determination, committment, and motivation are all needed to make it to the top. American's need to understand that wealth is not just going to happen overnight, but that it will come through a lot of diligent hard work. Wealth can be worth it if you earn it the right way and if you continuosly serve those around you through your wealth.
    Lauren Ellard, Econ 6th

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  9. Mary Lanphier 3rd EconOctober 31, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    This chapter is about earning your wealth honestly. The argument made is that if you earn your wealth honestly by hard work, then it is worth it. It also means that you don't stop working once you are successful or you "burn out". Money is just an object and it won't ever be enough; you'll always want more. Money doesn't make one happy. It is the relationships formed throughout a lifetime that make you happy. He said that "no one else can be Truett Cathy". He enjoys meeting the people who come to the office. Also, he stays active in his old age so that he doesn't "burn out" like his friend. Truett Cathy worked hard and still works hard, and it has paid off for him. He doesn't worry about the money so much as he just lives in the moment and treasures his relationships.

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  10. Hard work is the overbearing theme of the second chapter of Truett Cathy's book and he talks greatly of its importance. Cathy tells us that hard work and pride make money, not necessarily luck. Cathy tells us that "If it is to be, it is up to me." This means that one must go out on their own. Also he strongly supports that one must love their work and I will attest to that. I love working on cars, I do well at that as a job and made my boss happy; I do not like working in a restaurant and was there for about a month. I wanted to do well at both jobs, but the one which I did best I had fun at. Cathy exemplifies many people in this chapter like Frank Gordy of the Varsity and Norman Witten of CFA, both men loved their job and success, they had a smile and served their customers. Cathy says that hard work makes one learn the value of a dollar and he praises the colleges like Berry or the College of the Ozarks as students work for their tuition and do not need loans, I like this as I want to earn my college by ROTC. Cathy claims he worked 36 hours straight once and I believe that because he stated he was not working for the money, he loved his job, like the time I was forced to leave work because I stayed late getting a car going, if was a commitment and it was fun. Cathy tells us that hard work and honesty make wealth worth it in this chapter, but he must be hinting towards some soul wealth too because it impacted him as he did what he loved and was good at it and succeeded.
    -Alex Nelsen, 6th period.

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  11. Jeremy Overman, 6th periodNovember 1, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    I thoroughly enjoyed the story reading about Frank Gordy. Im amazed at the hard work that went in to starting The Varsity. It also amazes me at how much hard work the owner and founder himself, Mr. Gordy, put into it. There is a lot to be learned from both Mr. Gordy and Mr. Cathy. The main thing is that if you really want something to succeed, you cant be afraid to work for it. Mr. Cathy and his brother worked ridiculous hours at their dwarf house to get it started, and it paid off. The story of Norman "Red" Witten is remarkable. He turned that Chick-fil-a around completely because he was not afraid to work. Another lesson to learn is that work isnt always physical labor, but it can also be getting to know the customers or the employees around you. Mr Gordy spent countless hours talking with his customers or directing traffic ion the parking lot with a smile on his face or working behind the counter serving his customers. I learned, from reading this chapter, that a lot of stuff can happen and will happen if you just have the want and the drive to make it happen.

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    1. Jeremy Overman, 6th periodNovember 1, 2012 at 7:04 AM

      Also, the story of Brad Johnson and his dedication to both basketball and football is another great example of how working hard pays off. I cant imagine how hard it was to play 2 intercollegiate sports in college while trying to balance classes. Im impressed with his drive, and im glad that God blessed hime with 17 years in the NFL and a superbowl ring.

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  12. Truett talks of a ten word phrase that he use to live by: if it is to be, it is up to me. This is a do it yourself moto that we can all live by. God gives us opportunities and it is our job to plow them. If you have to work seven days a week to make a living you probably need to find a new job. You most make your work place a fun place to work and be in! You should be motivated by business compliments and providing service then the money you make. He also says if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. With hard work and grace you can be successful in all most any job. Work anytime you can to get a edge on the opponents. Be dedicated to everything and all that you do.
    Patrick Hague
    3rd period

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  13. The over arching theme of hard work is a little convivting to me. There are so many times when I could have worked much harder than I actually did on house work, school work, and sport. Most of the time it depends on my mood. I love to do office work. When I am taking calls or filing papers is when I am most happy and that is when I do my best work. It really is incredible what you can do when you put your mind to it, even if it means working extra hours for no pay. If something really matter to you then it will get done no matter what. We can see this clearly displayed in the work ethics of Norman Witten. Hard work and willingness to work without pay is sometimes the key to a successful business.

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  14. in this chapter Cathy brings up the point of hard work. You can not gain weath through being lazy and this can be seen through the work that Mr. Gordy did in creating the Varsity. Customer service is also important to Cathy. He believes that when people work with a smile on their face it will create a positive atmosphere and that is what brings customers back. with my personal life i would also agree with Cathy. i think that people who are given everything and do not have to work for it will not appreciate what they have. Truetts hard work paid off for him and that is why he is so succesful. I think that a little bit of hard work in the begining will be worth the wealth in the end.

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  15. In the second chapter of Truett Cathy's "Wealth Is It Worth It" he expresses that hard work pays in success. He talked abouot his friend who owned The Varsity in downtown Atlanta and how he was so involved in hard work yet he made it look so simple. He used great charater to make people want to come back and enjoy their time at the restaurant. He gave the restaurant an exciting and vibrant atmosphere with his charater that he showed his costomers. When you serve others it is more rewarding than to be served! Cathy said that wealth is worth it when you earn it honestly and while serving others. Cathy loved his job so much that he spent most of his time at the Dwarf House. He bought an apartment that was next to the restaurant so that he could be close by. I agree with Cathy when he says the more a man has the more he wants. This is very true with the materialistic world that we live in. We have to be thankful for what we have and how we obtained it.

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  16. In this chapter Cathy discusses hard work. He begins the chapter with a quote, "If it is to be, it is up to me". This quote tells us that if we want to succeed it is up to usto work hard to produce results. This is the idea Cathy promotes through out the whole chapter. Cathy provides us with examples from his childhood to help us see how hard work can influence our lives. He even showed us how you can be succesful through hard work even with out an education. He also talks about the importance of enjoying the work you do and it will no longer be work. He also tells us the importance of even the smallest jobs that we do, and how they contribute to the bigger picture. This chapter showed to me the importance of hard work. Cathy displays to us how success only comes from working hard and enjoying the work we do.

    Carolyn McDonald

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  17. Sierra Herndon 3rd PeriodNovember 1, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    I liked how in this chapter Truett Cathy focused on earning wealth honestly. Cathy emphasizes that wealth is meaningless if it is not earned by hard work and not just taking the easy way out.cathy also emphasizes that God gives us the ability to do whatever we want but that we have to work to achieve it. It was interesting to read about Frank Gordy and the starting of the Varsity, and how much hard work and dedictaion went into it. Gordy was not afraid to work for what he wanted and neither is Cathy. Hard work and dedication are key to sucess. Cathy also emphasizes the importance of kindness and how it is important to think of the consumer, which is why Chickfila is so sucessful. The kindness and honesty their employers show keeps people coming back.Most resteraunts dont take the time and effort to please thier customers and that really sets Chickfila and the Varsity apart. The most important part of this chapter to me was Truett Cathy's focus on family, when his family needed him he was there, and when the business neede him he was there, but he learned how to balance both.

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  18. Truett Cathy used theses ten words if it is to be, it is up to me. This is what truett cathy lives by lije a motto. When we want to work hard and accive that goal then we need to get up and acutually presue that idea or thought. Chapter two has manny stories f hard workers. How they accived there goalsand dream by having a trong set mind and a good heart. One of the stories was truett cathys friend in the 30's, you may know him as the founder of the Varsity. Frank gordy is a incredible man. He mind may sound crazy but his heart is so good. In invinting the Varsity you make think that he was so caught up in the bussiness and of course he was but what he really cared about was his customers. Making sure that the kids who would come would have fun and stay out of trouble. Another story was of Brad Gordy. From the age of a teenager Brad was always found shoting the baskets at the time of three a.m.. Crazy and insane but that brought Brad to the top, playing for college he got spots in football and played for the major leages because why? Hard work! both of these men worked hard, accived there goals and did all they could do to make them happen

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  19. I really enjoyed reading the second chapter of this book. The main focus was hard work. One story that Cathy shared that really interested me was about The Varsity and the history behind it. All the hard work Frank Gordy and his family put into it really payed off. Another thing that also stood out to me was the effort Cathy and his son make to greet customers and the extents they go to make them feel welcomed. I think that is why Chicfila is so succesful. The workers are honest and true and do make the customers feel welcomed. I think Cathy did a great job on emphasizing the importance of family and hard work in this chapter.

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  20. the second chapter in this book "earn wealth honestly" was very interesting. he tells us how we have to earn our success in life. we need to not be so greedy and if we do have money not keep it all to ourselves. he does a great job on saying how we need to work very hard at earning things in life. and whne we get this stuff yes be proub of your accomplishments but not to become some self centerded person. share yours accomplishment with people we need help or something. maybe even go on a mission trip. some people dont know how hard it is for some people to earn just a couple dollars because it comes so easy for many people.
    megan greene
    6th period economics

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  21. I liked the chapter Earn Wealth Honestly. It shows how you have to work really hard and have a lot of determination to be wealthy. Working hard and having fun is another thing that is true. You have to have fun while working hard. If you hate what you do, it'll make you miserable and you wont want to persue your dreams. Frank Gordy worked hard but also didn't complain and grumple about what he had to do. Obviously it worked for him! Also, it is good to have a role model. Such as shadowing someone. Truett Cathy had Mr. Gordy to look up to. Mr. Gordy had the Varsity running so well, which Truett Cathy admired even as a teenager.

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  22. truett makes it very clear that hard work is the best way to get wealth. things were not givin to him and he had to work hard what ever he wanted that made in to the man he is today. its hard to work hard at something you dont love so i agree with truett that you need to love what you do to get wealth so that you will be willing to work hard. the story and history of the Varsity was very cool to read about because it shows how hard work will get you wealth. on another note i find it very intrsting that how that truett isnt prideful of what he has beciome today and how he still gives God the glory.

    bowen lader
    6th econ.

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  23. I will also take note of what Kelly pointed out; Truett Cathy's life motto. "If it is to be, it is up to me", is a very true statement, especially in this day and age. In one wants wealth, or even just success, one has to work for it themselves. We shouldn't expect to have things simply given to us. Rather than complaining, we should eagerly accept the challenge of obtaining what we want so that we can get it quicker. Plus, the more passionately you work towards something, the more likely you are to do it better. Don't get angry about people correcting you or suggesting other methods, who knows how much their advice may help you? If you make a mistake, don't fret. Learn fro mand and use it to make you better, not bitter. Serious effort is the only way to assure that you can independently make your own wealth, or anything else for that matter.

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  24. ^^^Lily Garnett, 6th period Economics

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  25. This chapter so far has benn my favorite and most interesting to read yet. The main focus of "Earn Wealth Honestly", was that to be wealthy by hard work and determination is one thing and earning it not honestly are two different things. It talks also about how you need to like what you are doing. If you don't like what you are doing then you will become miserable in the long run and find to do something you like with a possibility that you wont achieve what you want. Also, if you get your wealth honestly then you should be proud of your achievements but not make the world revolve around you. Lastly an important point was the balance he had between work and family.
    Will Barkley
    6th Period

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  26. There is usually a person that you look up to in your life who you take advice from and strive to be more like. That person for Truett was Frank Gordy. Frank Gordy was a man who was an extremely hard worker, friendly, and knew how to run a restraunt business. Truett noticed that hard work was the key for running a successful business along with doing what you love. Its important to enjoy and take pride in what you do. But with hardwork you have to find a balance between life and buisness. Its important to not be wrapped up to much in your work life and spend to little in the other aspects of life. The last bit of advice he gives is to lead by listening. Support is a big factor in running a business.

    Sam Pope, Econ 6

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  27. I thought this chapter was very interesting. I like that Truett Caithy states that this is a "do it yourself world", because it is. If you want something in life you have to be willing to work and put all your effort into what you want, like when he said plowing the field. You have to work at plowing it before you can expect a harvest. i also like that the man he looked up to was a hard working man that in joyed what he did. This is important because if you are going to put your whole heart into working on something it needs to be something you in joy.When you work hard you finally realize the Dollar expense says Truett Cathy, and i think this is good because if you are going to get paid for something you need to be doing a good job of it, making people happy in the process.

    Brooke Battson, Economy 6th period

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  28. This chapter focused on earning one's wealth in an honest way. Honest wealth comes through hard work which can be seen in Frank Gordy's story. Through hard work Frank Gordy was able to not only gain wealth, but do it in an honest way. We are also shown the principle that if something you want is truly important and you work hard enough for it then it will come. This was the case for Norman Witten and was shown in his working manner and ethics. If you are determined and motivated enough, just like the football player Brad, then you work will show through you success. I feel like Truett Cathy uses great examples to illustrate his message to people who can relate to such examples. Gaining wealth quickly isn't always a good thing and could lead to a dangerous lifestyle. Through listening, determination, and hard work, a person can honestly come by wealth and most importantly do it the right way.

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  29. in the baginning of chapter 2, he talks about how God helps us, but we also have to help ourselves. He doesnt just hand us what we want, He gives us opportunities to get what we want. my favorite quote from this chapter is " love what you do, and you'll never work a day in your life." it inspires me to do strive for a job i know i will like, instead of settling for somthing i know i could do. he also talks about how you need to know the people you work with, or know your employees, or else you will lose interest,or "burnout". i think that is a good thing to remember, and probably a big part of running a succesful buisness.

    Martha Shiver, 6th period

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  30. I love how in this chapter he talks about how we have to trust GOd. he gives us ten, two-letter words: if is is to be, it is up to me. He says that these words are keys to your own success. He talks about Frank Gordy who owns the Varsity. He said he used to go get a chili dog for a nikel, and i thought that was cool. He talks about Rick Johnson's sun and how his hard work payed off in football and basketball. When i lived in rome I got to know the Jhonsons very well and his hard work and his faith made him what he is today. He says that hard work always pays off. Even if it does not seem that way hard work always pays off.
    -Brantley Wilson, 6th period

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  31. In the second chapter of Truett Cathy's "Wealth Is It Worth It" he expresses that hard work pays in success. I feel like Truett Cathy uses great examples to illustrate his message to people who can relate to such examples. Gaining wealth quickly isn't always a good thing and could lead to a dangerous lifestyle. He talked about how Frank Gordy earned his wealth in an honest way which makes it even better. Just like the football player he illustrated if you want something bad enough and are motivated to get that thing then your hard work will show up through your success. He also says that if you work for your hard earned money you will appreciate the worth of a dollar more. Bottom line is you can earn wealth one way or another but there is an honest way to do it. Biblically you are encouraged to do so.
    Brooks Stroud 6th period

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  32. In the second chapter of “Wealth, Is it Worth It?” Cathy talks about the ways of earning wealth. Wealth can be good when you work to earn it. However if you get it without much work then it usually corrupts. You should also not want to do your job because it earns you a lot of money, but instead because you enjoy it/helping others. Also you should not start working hard just because you have reached a point where you feel financially secure. There is always more you can do to help our world. These are not the keys to living an easy life, but they are the keys to living a full and happy life. I found it interesting that the owner of one of the biggest fast food chains in Georgia worked in the biggest fast food restaurant in his youth. Truett’s time at the Varsity taught him many things, but the biggest impact it had on him was the interaction with the customer. This is why he made chikfila such a family friendly place to be.

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