Monday, November 12, 2012

Economics Class Homework (Due Friday, Nov. 16th by classtime)

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

Chapter 4 - Share Wealth Generously (pages 149-182)
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

27 comments:

  1. Chapter 4 focuses on giving. We are all called to give. Even if you are not wealthy, you should still look for opportunities to give. God will bless you if you give with a cheerful heart. Cathy told a story about a couple, Richard and Stephanye Yadkowski, who gave up a larger income to do what God was calling them to do, run a foster home. Richard was given the opportunity to run a stand-alone Chick-fil-a and greatly increase his income. However, in Richard's words, "money is not the main motivator". Another example of giving gernerously is the James Shepherd story. A surfing accident left James paralyzed from the neck down. He had to go to a spinal rehabilitaion center in Colorado, which was very far from his home. His parents, because of the difficult circumstances, wanted to start a spinal rehabilitation center in Atlanta so that patients and families wouldn't have to travel so far for treatment. Because of their generosity and selfless efforts, the Shepherd Spinal Center is now one of the best spinal rehabilitation centers in the United States. When you give, you get to experience the amazing emotion of happiness, because you blessed somebody else. The joy you see on someone else's face when they receive your gift gives you so much satisfaction. Rather than worrying about what we want, we should look for opportunities to give, and invest in things that have eternal results.
    Julia Peavy
    6th period Economics

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  2. In Cathy's concluding chapter " Share Wealth Generously" he makes meany great points of the idea of giving more than you receive. I love how he tied in personal stories of people's lives he knew that impacted his mindset to give generously. He specifically told the story of Richard and Stephanye Yadkowski. I thought it was so neat how this family was more interested in changing the life of a child instead of expanding their wealth. Mainly I was just amazed because their choice to give and help a kid in need of a home was simply selfless and very humbling. Also, I enjoyed reading on Jeff Manley's story of Rock Ranch. It was neat to see how him and Cathy were able to transform a ranch into a place that people could enjoy in many apects. Cathy hits home in his ideals on generosity in wealth and the results have shown in his life that he has been very blessed in return. His ideas of extending his company to sponsor not just food, camps and foster home for kids as well. In my opinion, Cathy truly is a genius when it comes to building wealth and knowing how to manage it.

    Abby Deckbar
    Econ. 3rd period

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  3. Cathy ends his book with a great chapter. He talks about how wealth is worth it. He finally answers the question on the front of the book by saying if you give wealth is worth it. Giving is a great thing to do because it helps out so many people. Cathy loves the feeling that he gets when he gives away and in the chapter he talks about their people in his life who have given away much of their money. He also talks about the shepards who give money to a spinal rehabilitation center in Atlanta. They love doing this and every do have a great time. Cathy says that you dont have to give away billions like bill gates does. All you have to do is just give what you can and it will make a difference. In this chapters we finally see that wealth is worthet. I think that Cathy ends with this chapter because he thinks that is it the most important thing to do.

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  4. The main topic of Chapter four in "Wealth is it Worth It?" is giving. One thing that Cathy reminds us and that I have been reminded of by my parents is that when we give, we experience so much joy. Cathy then answers the ultimate questions. Wealth, is it worth it? yes, if you give generously. Out of all the stories I read, the Jeff Manley story about Rock Ranch was the most enjoyable. I enjoyed seeing Cathy and Manley work together to make the ranch such an ideal plce to go.I also really enjoyed reading the story about Richard and Stephanye Yadkowski. Their exapansion of wealth was incredible and how the managed things was even more incredible. I have really enoyed reading this book about Cathy and his successes not only in busniess, but in the ares of need in society. I think Cathy is a great example in how to manage your money, and how God would want you to manage your money as well.

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  5. Allison Lange (3rd Econ)November 15, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    The final chapter of Wealth is it Worth it is focused on the power of giving and how entwined it is with the power of wealth. Truett makes it very clearly that without giving, wealth is very likely to corrupt. I think giving is so important because it keeps the intentions of the heart on the right track. When your heart is in the right place only good proceeds. I really liked the story of Richard and Stephanye Yadkowski; how they gave up a significant amount of money in order to follow the direction God was giving them, which was to help children in foster homes. I think it is very admirable that they were able to keep strong in their faith and change so many children's lives. One of my favorite lines that I have read from this book has to be the quote from Deen Day that states, "You don't have to make a choice between success and ethics." In my opinion, if ethics are ignored or skewed then the success you have reached doesn't matter. Along with giving, I think that good morals are a major part of reaching true wealth. I think that wealth can be achieved without these things, but it cannot be truly called wealth, because you haven't really gained anything. I think that Truett has the right idea, wealth is worth it when it is gained honorably and used for the good of others.

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  6. Heidi Park (Econ 6th)November 15, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    This last chapter focuses on groups of people who have given generously even though they may not be billionaires. The first people mentioned in the chapter are Richard and Stephanye Yadkowski. They had been part of the Chik-fil-A business for at least six years, when they asked Truett if they could run one of his WinShape homes. They eventually became foster parents to their own children, and six other foster kids. Becoming foster parents was their way of giving generously because they knew this was the path God had called them to be on. By helping God’s children, they were giving generously. The second groups of people mentioned in this chapter are the Shepherds. After experiencing spinal injuries, and realizing the difficulty of traveling to Colorado for recovery, the Shepherds decided to open a spinal center hospital in Macon, Georgia. With the help of their friends, they were able to open the Shepherd Spinal Center, which is now one of the top ten rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. Another man that has given generously is Jeff Manley. He works at the Rock Ranch which is owned by Truett. Jeff’s job is to pretty much bring smiles to people’s faces. He does so by organizing events that families can come to and enjoy the nature of the ranch. The Rock Ranch is inspired by how Truett was raised which he wishes to pass on to the kids of this generation. There are many more people than the ones mentioned in this book that have given generously. Even though Truett focuses on the generosity of others, he himself has abundantly given. That is why to this day he still remains successful because he trusts that God will provide even when it seems he will not.

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  7. As we come to close with "Wealth, is it worth it?", Cathy wraps things up by talking about the right ways to spend your wealth. After working hard and acquiring your success and wealth, Cathy says that one is not to keep it to themself. It is to shared with God and those who are less fortunate. You should continue paying your tithes and offerings, and if possible, exceed. When giving to the Lord it should done cheerfully and with gladness, like the Bible says. You should use your money to better the world as well. Rather than hoarding it to yourself and investing in pointless, worthless (in the long run) things. It should be used tohelp those. Who are you to have so much and not use it, when so many other hardworking people have nothing and are barely getting by? We are called to help our Christian family, and that includes with our wealth.

    Lily Garnett, Econ. 6th

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  8. Truett Cathy amazes me. You do not find wealthy people these days as humble as he is. I admire how he chooses to spend his money. He puts others first. He worked hard for what he has today, and he chooses to reach out and help others. He uses it to make foster homes for kids.Cathy does not need money to make him happy. He gets his happiness by blessing other peoples life's, and making a difference. This chapter teaches you that it's not about the income you make. It's about what God has called you to do. Just like Richard and Stephanye Yadkowski did. They were called to run a foster home.Even though they're not making the higher income they could of been making. They are changing life's and reaching out to others instead of focusing on themselves and how much income they're making.Money is not a main motivator. It's about looking for opportunities to give, and blessing others. Truett Cathy has done all of these things.He has shown us that wealth is worth it when you are using it to bless the life's of others.
    Alysha Amerson
    3rd period

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  9. In the last chapter, Truett Cathy's main point is that wealth is worth it if you share it generously. He refers to it as the highest calling. Just like a tree is made for oxygen, shelter, ruit, and timber, our wealth is made to be shared. His friends Richard and Stephanye became house parents in one of the WinShape homes, which is an unrewarding job. It is worth it to tem though because it is byond what money can buy. God prepares us to help those around us in our hearts. He uses them as resources to respond to the nees of those around us. He made the point that you give generously when you are passionate about something. He is most passionate about his children. When you give, you need to give more than money. Passion is key.

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    Replies
    1. i do like his analogy of the tree. and thanks for giving my boot back.

      bowen lader
      6th econ.

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  10. Christians we are called to a higher calling in life. We most give back to the comunity in always that we can. You could give back by donating money. Maybe by donating your valuable free time to those more in need of it. Cathy makes many great points on giving more thaqn you recieve. He gives personal stories of those who have given back to there comunity. Thanks to Cathy many people can now enjoy the rock raqnch. Thanks to his generosity he has been able to greatly give back to more poeople in need of the money. What I think is te best part of giving is the reaction to gift when they see it for the first time. Cathy in my eyes captured the idea of giving.
    3rd period
    Patrick Hague

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  11. In this chapter it was interesting to read all the different stories about people giving and making a change. In the first story i thought it was great how the family passed on the opportunity to make more money and decide to work at the foster home. it really showed how God works in their lives and all things will work for good in Gods plan. As one man in the chapter said it, "the more he gave away, the more he got". I think that statement really sums up the question, "is wealth worth it". This chapter really brings to life that giving money to important causes is vital in helping you appreciate your wealth. For some, giving can be a hard thing to do because they get greedy and do not want to share. but when you look at all the big names like Cathy, Oprah, and many others, all of them are huge givers and are all still very well off in life.

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  12. Sierra Herndon 3rd PeriodNovember 16, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    Truett Cathy focusses on the biblical principle of giving to other rather than recieving or keeping your wealth to yourself. Cathy understands the importance of having God at the center of your life and giving generously to people who are less fortutnate. When you give, you feel better and are happier in life because you can understand that wealth does not mean everything in your life and that people are much more important than wealth. I liked reading about Richard and Stenphanye Yadkowski who gave up their wealth in order to help other and started up a foster home. Tehy cared more about helping children than having money or wealth and they were selfless in their wants for their lives. I also liked reading about James Sheperd and how he inspired his parents to start a rehabilitation center for people with spinal injuries which now helps many people with spinal injuries. The most important thing is to help other people and see the jou on their face, because bringing other happiness will in turn bring you happiness.

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  13. In the Final chapter of Cathy's book, he uses personal stories to give a point. He talks about a man name James who becomes paralzed after being struck by a wave. His parents decide to open up a rehibilitation center, because they felt God calling them to, and now it is a major center in the United States. I like how in his stories, God transforms something as simple as a Ranch into a Camp where families could come and have a relaxing time and worship God. God used Jeff in a way to make other people feel relaxed and have a smile on their face. Chick-fil-a also counts their blessings. Every year they have a big siminar and give praise to the Lord. Even during tough times, Cathy stil gives praise and counts each and every blessing.

    Sam Pope, Econ 6

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  14. In the last chapter of "Wealth is it Worth it?" by Truett Cathy he expresses the importance of giving. When you give something to someone else it is more rewarding and means more personally. It doesnt matter if you are poor or rich, you can always give in some form or another. It could be the billoins of dollars Gates and Buffet have given or even the smallest thing such as 2 bottles of lotion that an orphan give Mr. Cathy. When you are giving it means alot more than receiving. In this chapter Cathy reveals that he has multiple childrens homes across the South called WinShape. Here he gives children who have been put in multiple foster home a better and more stable life. One of his employees who was once a foster child even declined a promotion with a increase in pay to work and take care of children in the home. They put the children before them and did not care about the money because they knew that God had a plan for them.

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  15. Truett Cathy defines our highest calling as giving as much as we can. We ourselves are not called to give when we have enough money, but instead we are called to give generously each and every day no matter what we have. Truett explains that we should not have money as our main priority, but we should love and work towards opportunites that will have rewards that money cannot buy. God will call us to do things in life that may seem impossible at the time, but it will grow into something miraculous if we trust him. The more support that you can get from those around you, the more you can give back. When we give, we must be willing to give more than our money. James Shepherd was able to give much more than money to the patients at the Shepherd center. Truett Cathy continuously points to the idea that giving is the source of joy. Truett says it best with, "when we count our blessings and remember the source of them, then wealth is worth it."
    Lauren Ellard
    Econ, 6th

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  16. I was really challenged by truett in this chapter. I was challenged because i know that i am greedy. i am greedy with money and everything in my life. I really liked how he put it when he says ,"when we count our blessings and remember the source of them, then wealth is worth it." I constantly justify not being generous by saying that i dont have the means or money to give and so it is ok that i don't but truett made me think about how it is not about how much we have but how willing we are to give what we have. I am so materialistic and this chapter really stresses how unimportant money and possessions are becaue in reality, who cares? when we are gone from this life then who cares how much money, clothes, etc. we had? the only thing that matters is Christ and how we serve Him in our lives.

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  17. In the last chapter of Wealth is it Worth It?, Cathy focuses on the impact of giving and how a gift can be such a crucial point in someones life. I like how this chapter was set up with the different stories and the first was probably my favorite. It was cool how the family had passed up on the oppurtunity to make more money and still decided to work the foster home. I also enjoyed reading Jeff Manley's story at Rock Ranch. It was very interesting how Cathy and Manley transformed the ranch into a place where people could enjoy it in about every aspect that they looked at it. When you give, it should feel good to both the giver and the reciever. Of course it should feel good tho the reciever because it might be something that they really wanted, but it should feel good th the giver because you get to see that person be truly happy and thankful. When it comes down to it Cathy is just a great guy with a heart that is open to everyone.
    Will Barkley
    6th Period
    Economics

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  18. Giving babck is so nice. In the last chapter Cathy talked about how giving back is better than taking in. I loved the story of Jeff in the Rock Ranch. I remember going there when i was in Kindergarden. Cathy made it to wear people could have fun and enjoy themselves. When we give back theres two wins to this. First is the person recieving the gift feels the love that they are loved . And second is the giver, whether you are a angry mean man or a rotten scrooge you feel the love of givibng back

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  19. Truett has really struck home in this chapter. he has challnged me. irealized that i was greedy. i need to share more and realized how blessed i tuely am. it really need to read the sories of people sharing. we dont have to have alot of money to share. we dont have to be billonaires to do what God calls us to do.

    bowen lader
    6th econ.

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  20. in the last chapter of the book wealth is it worth it, truette really does a good job on explaning how we should be nice and kind by not being greedy with our money and give others that need something.like fr example with christmas coming up maybe instead of buyinglike your friends and family so much mabe you could buy them something small and then with whatever mony you have less help people in need. he really says we need to count our blessing. we are very lucky and should be thankful for what we have. turette is very generous and giving to other people that arent very welathy. we need to be more like him in our everyday lives. this book really did a good job on telling us we need to stop being so greedy and help other people because it may be easy for us to get money but for some people its very difficult.
    megan greene
    6th period

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  21. In this chapter Truett Cathy taslks about what our highest calling is financially speaking. He tells us that it is to give as much as we posiibly can. He also tells us that money should not be one of our top priorities in life. If it is we will have one rollercoaster of a life. He tells us that we should work towards achieving thihngs that money cant buy. ASlso when we give we must be prepared to give in more than one way. After all there are plenty of ways to give and he encouraged me to give in the way that I am best inclined to give. James Shepherd is an example of how you give more than money to people. Relationships with others is better than just giving money anyways. Im glad we have read this book because I now have a financial role model that I can look up to.
    6th period
    Brooks Stroud

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  22. In the last chapter of “Wealth: Is it Worth It?” Truett Cathy talks about the most important aspect of money. He says that sharing our wealth and giving it away to others makes wealth worth it. We are called to give to others whenever possible. Even when it seems impossible, we should always make that they main reason why we create wealth for ourselves. It is also our job to support others who are trying to give. The more that you give, Truett says, the more joy you get. In this last chapter, he uses examples of other people who have lived their lives by giving to others. He talked about the Shepard family. They gave all of their time, money, and resources to create a spine rehabilitation center in honor of their son. At first, they had no idea how they would be able to accomplish this goal while still being able to support themselves. God was able to provide them with enough money, through the help of others, and now their hospital is one of the best in the country. This chapter really answered the question of the title of whether or not wealth is worth it, and I believe it is if you use it for others.
    Summer Willingham
    6th Economics

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  23. I think Truett Cathy did a great job in writting this chapter. He was mainly focused on giving. He answers the question of Wealth, is it worth it? by saying yes, if you give it generoulsy. This chapter challenged me because sometimes i find that i am not the one giving. I need to try to give more then i get. This is a good goal to have during this time of year. realy enjoyed reading this book. Truett Cathy did a good job writting it. I was raly challenged after reading this book
    Brantley Wilson

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  24. i really liked this chapter. i think it is a great reminder that we should all be more generous, and not so selfish. i think we all tend to pay more attenion to the things we want or need, when we should be thinking of others. especially around this time of yeear, when we all start thinking about all the things we want for christmas, while there are some people who arent thinking about presents for christmas, but how they are going to make it to christmas. i think Truett Cathy made a great point, and probably made alot of people rethink the way they live.
    Martha Shiver

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  25. The final part of Cathy's book sums up the the question of the value of wealth. Cathy says wealth is only worthwhile if, and only if generousity accompanies it. Cathy cites many people like the Shepherd family and their spinal rehab center which has grown out of a dream. He also uses the example of a Chick-fil-a franchise operator who is happy, not because of wealth, butr because of his job at a Winshape Children's home. This proves that we really need to consider what God is calling us to do. Another example is the Rock Ranch and the giving that has come out of that by enriching the lives of families that live in the city with the cattle ranch life. Through this book I have learned that working hard is important as is saving money, but the most important thing to do is give. I have also learned Truett Cathy's true nature and the incredible life he has had by working to build a corporation without debt and giving along the way. Cathy begins the chapter with the notion that God is the ultimate giver and he ends it by telling us to count our blessings and give to those in need.

    Alex Nelsen 6 period

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  26. Chapter four and really the whole book have been enlightening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Im glad that God has greatly blessed Truett Cathy for his faithfulness to God. Im glad that Chuik-Fil-A is such a successful business overall (but its still not as good as BK). I liked reading about how the Rock Ranch got started. How it ties into Winshape is very interesting too. Overall i loved this book. I liked reading about how God worked in Truett Cathy's life when he opened the dwarf house in 1946. Then 30 years later he opened their first childrens home. God works in mysterious ways.

    Jeremy Overman

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