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Overview
"It's MY money, and you can't tell me what to do with it!" Uh-oh, sounds like somebody is having second thoughts about paying their pledge to the Youth Group Fundraiser—and Lila is a member of the group! That sparkling Greed-dust must have something to do with it. Bible story: Elijah & the Widow. Key verses: Matthew 6:1-4
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781462746811 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | B&H Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 08/01/2017 |
| Series: | Bibleman |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 32 |
| File size: | 9 MB |
| Age Range: | 4 - 8 Years |
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
One day, two sisters were asking for donations for the church fund-raiser, but one shop owner wanted to take money instead. She saw the girls coming and came up with a plan to get them to buy something.
She placed a shiny phone case on the counter and blew some sparkling greed-dust onto it.
The sisters entered the stop with high hopes.
"Welcome to Designer Delights," said the shop owner. "My name is Gweneth Reed How can I help you girls?"
"Good afternoon," said the younger girl." "I'm Lila, and this is my sister, Beth. We were wondering if you'd like to donate to our church fund-raiser to help people in need."
"We'll, that's awfully generous of you. I'd love to help. Why don't you girls take a look around while I get my purse?" Ms. Reed said as she walker away.
Lila saw the phone case on the counter. "Wow! Look how pretty this case is. I saw one like it in a magazine. I don't just want this case, I need it!" she said with a twinkle in her eyes from the sparkling greed-dust.
Beth cautioned her sister. "I don't know, Lila. It sure is beautiful, but it's thirty dollars!"
Just then, Ms. Reed returned. "I'm sorry, girls. I can't find my checkbook anywhere. But I see someone has found a new phone case," she said with a smile at Lila.
Lila looked sad. "It's really pretty, but Beth's right. Its too expensive."
"Well, my dear, fashion comes with a price," Ms. Reed said. "It takes a special girl to pull off such a special case."
Lila's eyes twinkled again as the greed-dust filled her with greed.
"We should be going now," Beth said when she saw Lilas eyes light Thank you for your time, Ms. Reed. Maybe you can come by the fund-raiser at the church tomorrow to give your donation."
"Oh, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it. Why don't you come back by on your way, Lila, and I can give you the check then? I'll save this phone case for you, just in case," Ms. Reed added in a whisper.
As the girls left the shop, Ms. Reed blew more sparkling greed-dust onto Lila.
"I can't stop thinking about that phone case," Lila said as they walked home.
"Where are you going to get thirty dollars?" Beth asked. "Wait, you're not thinking of using the money you pledged for the fund-raiser, are you?"
Lila looked guilty." "You don't understand. You get new stuff all the time."
"This isn't about wanting something new" Beth reminded her. "It's about generosity and keeping your promises. This money is going toward giving food and clothes to people who can't afford it, not a case for someone else's phone."
Lila yelled at her sister. "It's my money, Beth! Why should I give it all away? I can buy the case and still have some left over to donate. I should be able to spend my money however I want."
Lila stormed off, leaving Beth to follow her home in silence.
That night, Lila couldn't stop thinking about the phone case. She grabbed her money and counted it.
On the way to the fund-raiser the next day, Lila stopped at Designer Delights. "Hello, Ms. Reed. I was wondering if you had that donation," Lila said slowly.
"That's not really why you're here, is it?" Ms. Reed said.
"Well, maybe not the only reason. I want this case," Lila admitted. "But it's too expensive. I was wondering if you could give me a deal."
"Look, hun," Ms. Reed replied. "Designer items tell you what to pay, not the other way around."
Lila pulled her jar out of her backpack. "This is the money I pledged to donate."
"Oh, I almost forgot," Ms. Reed said, pulling out a tube of lipstick. "Here's my little gift to all my customers. A pretty girl like you needs pretty things." Lila put on the sparkling, ruby lipstick filled with greed-dust.
"You deserve them too," Ms. Reed continued. "You've donated your time to this fundraiser; you shouldn't have to donate your money too."
"You're right. I do deserve nice things!" Lila chanted.
"Well, you've got more than enough money here," Ms. Reed said as she opened the jar.
At the Bibleteam HQ, the Bibleteam was having fun with a taste test of Cypher's crazy Slush EZ flavor combinations. Suddenly, they got an alert of enemy activity. The location was Designer Delights.
"That's only a block away from the fund-raiser today," Melody said.
"Who is the shop owner, Cypher?" Biblegirl asked.
"It's listed as unknown," he replied with a frown.
"Looks like we'll have to find out for ourselves," Bibleman said. "To the Biblevan!"
Back at the shop, Lila smiled as Ms. Reed handed her the receipt. Lila picked up her backpack and turned to leave.
"Oh, wait! I almost forgot," Ms. Reed said quickly. "This wallet just arrived today. I'll give you a deal for today only — half price on the wallet so you can have a matching set."
"Thank you for the offer," Lila said as her smile faded, "but that would take the rest of my money."
"Just think about it," Ms. Reed responded. She blew another handful of greed-dust on Lila as she left.
Ms. Reed spoke to herself. "That, my dear Lila, is why they call me the Grand Duchess of Greed!"
She let out an evil laugh ... until she saw the Biblevan pull up in front of her shop! She pretended to read as the Bibleteam entered the store, ready for action.
The Grand Duchess acted surprised. "Oh! My heavens, you startled me. Hey, aren't you that Bibleman fellow everyone's been talking about?"
"Yes, ma'am," he responded. "Are you the shop owner?"
"Well, yes, I am," she answered.
"Our scanners picked up enemy activity at this location," Bibleman said. "Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?"
"Enemy activity!?" The Grand Duchess sounded shocked. "I'm not sure what you mean, but no. Just business as usual."
"Do you mind if we have a look around, just to be safe?" Bibleman asked.
"Of course not. Better safe than sorry, I always say," she replied.
The Bibleteam searched for clues but didn't find anything.
"Sorry for the interruption, Ms. Reed," Bibleman said, picking up a business card. The Bibleteam left the shop confused.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Say Goodbye to the Grand Duchess of Greed"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers.
Excerpted by permission of B&H Publishing Group.
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