Rewards in Full

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.
Bart Rathbone: Hey there gang, this is Bart Rathbone. You know what? We're just getting ready for a time of wonder, adventure, and excitement. You're going to love it. So would you like to join us? Then get ready because you never know what can happen when you have an adventure in Odyssey.
Guest (Female): Help the Electric Palace feed the hungry?
Guest (Male): So what are you going to do about it? Wear a helmet, it's the law.
Guest (Female): But I'm just a kid.
Bart Rathbone: Another one of them bleeding-heart things, huh? Well said, Bart. Well said.
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Guest (Female): We're going to have a blast.
Guest (Male): For more, go to adventuresinodyssey.com/jonesandparker.
Jack Allen: Let's see if I have everything. Connie, I'm getting ready to leave.
Connie Kendall: Okay, Jack. Do you have everything?
Jack Allen: I think so. Permit application, color schemes, mockup. This isn't the right one. Connie, where is the latest mockup for the poster?
Connie Kendall: It's right there under the counter. I didn't want it to get spilled on.
Jack Allen: Good. I'll be at City Hall and the copy place if you need me.
Bart Rathbone: Goodbye, Bart. Bye, Bart. Yeah, yeah, goodbye. Where was he off to in such a hurry?
Connie Kendall: City Hall. What can I do for you, Bart?
Bart Rathbone: Nothing. I'm just returning this book I borrowed from your library.
Connie Kendall: You borrowed a book?
Bart Rathbone: Yeah. What's the matter? You don't think I read?
Connie Kendall: Of course you do. Let's see. "How to Get Organized." That sounds pretty good.
Bart Rathbone: I found it under a pile of junk at home. So anyway, what's Jack doing at City Hall?
Connie Kendall: He's getting a permit to hang posters.
Bart Rathbone: Posters? For what?
Connie Kendall: For a new project he's starting called "Food for the Hungry." It's a citywide program designed to collect and distribute food to the needy.
Bart Rathbone: Another one of them bleeding-heart things, huh?
Connie Kendall: I wouldn't call having compassion on hungry people a bleeding-heart thing, Bart. The needy have to eat too.
Bart Rathbone: Yeah, I guess.
Connie Kendall: Besides, it's something that brings the whole community together. Maybe you could be a part of it.
Bart Rathbone: Me?
Connie Kendall: The Electric Palace could be one of the collection points.
Bart Rathbone: Collection points? You mean like people leaving canned goods and stuff at my store? No. No way. Forget it.
Connie Kendall: Why not?
Bart Rathbone: Because the only thing I want people leaving at my store is their money. Besides, I haven't got the room.
Connie Kendall: Do you at least have room for a poster in your window?
Bart Rathbone: My windows are taken up with my own posters.
Connie Kendall: This one isn't very big. Let me see. Okay, here's a mockup. It's not the final, but it'll look just like this except there'll be more room at the bottom to list the collection point. See? Not very big at all.
Bart Rathbone: Well...
Connie Kendall: Come on, Mr. Rathbone. It'll show the community you're a leader.
Bart Rathbone: All right, all right. I'll put the poster in a small corner of the window.
Connie Kendall: Great! I'll deliver one to you as soon as they're ready.
Bart Rathbone: I can't wait.
Jack Allen: Good afternoon, Erica.
Erica: Hi, Mr. Allen.
Jack Allen: Is everything all right? You look worried.
Erica: I do?
Jack Allen: Not worried exactly. More like concerned.
Erica: That's because I am. Concerned, I mean.
Jack Allen: Really? About what?
Erica: About this pamphlet. "Pedal Smart: Bicycle Safety for Young People." I got it in my health class. It talks about how many kids are hurt and even killed each year because they get into accidents and aren't wearing helmets.
Jack Allen: That's quite a problem, all right. Well worth being concerned about.
Erica: Did you know it's against the law in this state to ride a bicycle without a helmet?
Jack Allen: No, I didn't.
Erica: Neither did I, and neither did any of my friends. A lot of kids probably don't know about it. That's why they get hurt. Someone should spread the word about something that important, don't you think?
Jack Allen: Yes, I do. So what are you going to do about it?
Erica: Me?
Jack Allen: You're someone, aren't you? And you're already very familiar with your subject. I can't think of anyone better to spread the word.
Erica: But I'm just a kid. Who would listen to me?
Jack Allen: The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth."
Erica: What does that mean?
Jack Allen: It means don't let anyone look down on you because you're young. Put another way, being a kid is no excuse. If you have a good message, you should tell it.
Erica: Yeah. You know what? You're right, Mr. Allen. Okay, I'll do it.
Bart Rathbone: Hi, Mr. Rathbone.
Connie Kendall: Here's your poster.
Bart Rathbone: Poster?
Connie Kendall: For the "Food for the Hungry" program. Remember? I told you yesterday I'd deliver one to you.
Bart Rathbone: Oh, yeah. Thanks. Just leave it on the counter.
Connie Kendall: I saw a perfect spot for it on the window near the front door. Nothing's there now. I can hang it up for you if you want.
Bart Rathbone: Yeah, thanks, but I'll do it myself. Connie, if you don't mind, I'm busy with a potential big customer here.
Connie Kendall: Really? Who?
Bart Rathbone: See that tall guy in lightbulbs? That's Harry Wainwright, one of the biggest businessmen in the area. Owns a factory out on Connelsville Road.
Connie Kendall: Wainwright Plastics?
Bart Rathbone: That's the one. He's got almost a thousand people working in that factory. It's huge.
Connie Kendall: So how does that make him a potentially big customer for you?
Bart Rathbone: If he likes what he sees here, maybe the Electric Palace can supply all the electrical needs for his plant. Here he comes. Good afternoon, Mr. Wainwright. Did you find everything you were looking for?
Harry Wainwright: Yes, I did. I'll take this box of lightbulbs, please.
Bart Rathbone: Excellent, excellent choice. But are you sure that's all you need?
Harry Wainwright: Yes, just the lightbulbs. My wife told me to stop and pick some up.
Bart Rathbone: Because whatever electrical needs you may have, we can take care of it.
Harry Wainwright: All I need today are lightbulbs.
Bart Rathbone: Are you sure? We've got lots of electrical devices here, enough to fill up an entire factory, even one as big as yours.
Harry Wainwright: I'm sure you do, but—
Bart Rathbone: There is a terrific idea. My store supplying your factory with its electrical needs. Maybe we could go to lunch and talk about it.
Harry Wainwright: I don't want to be rude, but my factory gets its electrical needs filled from another source.
Bart Rathbone: So we'll match or beat any prices in town, and I know we can offer better service than the bozo you're buying from now.
Harry Wainwright: I doubt it.
Bart Rathbone: Why?
Harry Wainwright: Because that bozo happens to be my brother.
Bart Rathbone: Well then, that'll be $3.95 for the lightbulbs. Right.
Harry Wainwright: "Food for the Hungry." What's this?
Connie Kendall: It's a new charity program to collect and distribute food to those in need. Hi.
Bart Rathbone: Why don't you go hang that up somewhere, Connie?
Harry Wainwright: Distributing food. I think that's great.
Connie Kendall: Really? You do?
Harry Wainwright: Yes, it's important for business to promote and support charity work.
Bart Rathbone: I feel the exact same way.
Connie Kendall: You do?
Bart Rathbone: Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, the Electric Palace is one of the collection points for the "Food for the Hungry" program.
Connie Kendall: It is?
Bart Rathbone: Don't you remember? That's why you came by.
Connie Kendall: Oh, yeah! Right.
Harry Wainwright: Well, I'll be sure to tell all my employees to come here and donate food.
Connie Kendall: Maybe you could take a couple of posters and hang them up around your factory.
Harry Wainwright: Good idea.
Connie Kendall: Great. Here you go.
Bart Rathbone: And here's your lightbulbs.
Harry Wainwright: Thank you. Good day.
Bart Rathbone: Thank you. I knew I'd get him one way or another. If I can't supply the factory, I'll get all the employees to shop here. This is really great.
Connie Kendall: Congratulations. And welcome to the program, Bart.
Bart Rathbone: Program? Oh, yeah. You know, I always did think it was a good idea. The needy have to eat too, you know.
Connie Kendall: So I've heard.
Bart Rathbone: Yeah, and we all got to get our share. I mean, do our part. With the right kind of publicity, this could turn into something really big.
Connie Kendall: We certainly hope so. Listen, I have to get back to Whit's End. I'll see you later.
Bart Rathbone: Right, right. See you, Connie. Really big.
Erica: Okay, Erica, get to it. You've got to get these posters up before school starts.
Brenda: Hi, Erica.
Erica: Brenda, you scared me.
Brenda: Sorry. What are you doing here so early? I always come around this time. Both my folks work so they drop me off. Why are you so early?
Erica: To put these up before everyone gets here.
Brenda: Posters? Are they for the assembly this afternoon?
Erica: Oh yeah, I forgot about that. No, they're not for the assembly.
Brenda: Really? Then what are they for?
Erica: Read for yourself.
Brenda: "Where a helmet. It's the law. If you ride a bike without wearing a helmet, you could be gone with the Schwinn." "This is your brain. This is a helmet. This is your brain if you ride a bike without wearing a helmet. Any questions?" Erica, these are great.
Erica: Thanks.
Brenda: Did you do them all by yourself?
Erica: Yeah, it took me three days.
Brenda: What class are they for?
Erica: No class.
Brenda: You mean you're just doing it for no reason?
Erica: Not for no reason. I want to promote bicycle safety and helmet awareness.
Brenda: But nobody's making you.
Erica: No.
Brenda: That's really neat.
Erica: Thanks. Well, I'd better get started. See you.
Brenda: Wait a minute.
Erica: What?
Brenda: Well, I was just wondering. I don't have anything else to do. Maybe I can help you.
Erica: Sure. You don't have to be shy about it. Here. You take that half of the school and I'll take this half. Just be sure to hang them where people can see them.
Brenda: Right. I'll meet you back here when you're finished.
Erica: Okay.
Mr. Hunt: Brenda.
Brenda: Mr. Hunt!
Mr. Hunt: What are you doing?
Brenda: Just hanging up these posters.
Mr. Hunt: You know you have to get permission from the principal's office before you do this.
Brenda: Really? But I didn't—
Mr. Hunt: It's all right, Brenda. Let's just see what you've got here. Bicycle safety, huh? Very good.
Brenda: Really?
Mr. Hunt: Yes, it's a worthy cause. You may continue. Just make sure you get my permission before you start next time.
Brenda: Yes, sir, but—
Mr. Hunt: You'd better get to class. Don't want to be late. You boys! Walk, walk, walk, walk!
Brenda: Yes, sir.
Jack Allen: Connie?
Connie Kendall: Behind the counter, Jack. What's up?
Jack Allen: Well, I'm not exactly sure. When you took the "Food for the Hungry" poster over to Bart Rathbone the other day, what happened?
Connie Kendall: Nothing really. He was trying to impress Harry Wainwright.
Jack Allen: Harry Wainwright?
Connie Kendall: Yeah, he owns that big factory on the outskirts of town. In fact, that's what got Bart to agree to making the Electric Palace one of the collection points.
Jack Allen: I don't follow you.
Connie Kendall: Harry Wainwright said he liked it when businesses are involved in charity. He took a couple of posters and said he'd tell all his employees to bring food to the Electric Palace.
Jack Allen: And Bart saw them as potential customers.
Connie Kendall: Of course. Why?
Jack Allen: This is why. "If you care about the hungry, you'll come to the Electric Palace."
Connie Kendall: This isn't our poster.
Jack Allen: No, it isn't. But dozens just like it are on every lamppost and telephone pole in town.
Connie Kendall: Bart must have made up his own. "Don't just light your home, be a light to the needy. Help the Electric Palace feed the hungry. Get wired with compassion. Let's electrocute hunger. Together we conduit." "Whether it's beacons or bacon, the Electric Palace is serving Odyssey." Oh, brother.
Jack Allen: I'll say this for the man, he's not afraid to promote his business.
Connie Kendall: This is terrible. I'm sorry, Jack. I'll go over there and take care of this right now.
Jack Allen: Connie, you really don't have to.
Connie Kendall: No, no, it's my fault. I won't be long.
Jack Allen: But—
Connie Kendall: Bye!
Mr. Hunt: All right, people. Let's quiet down. Let's quiet, please. Thank you. Now, before we begin our assembly this afternoon, I'd like to say a few words about one of your fellow students. She doesn't know I'm going to do this, but this morning before most of you arrived, she was putting up the posters you've seen around the school promoting bicycle safety and helmet awareness. I think this is a wonderful constructive idea, and I want to honor the person responsible for it. So will you all join me in giving a big round of applause to Brenda Perry?
Erica: What?
Mr. Hunt: Brenda, why don't you come on up here? What? All right, all right, let's hold it down. Brenda, I just want to say that I'm very proud to have a student like you in this school. Someone who cares enough about others' safety to sacrifice their own comfort to spread an important message. Your good ideas and hard work will benefit everyone. You're an example to us all.
Brenda: I just want to say thank you very much.
Bart Rathbone: Thanks for coming! Remember, you're really helping the hungry. Oh, and don't leave without checking out our specials. Bart, Bart Rathbone. Oh, hi, Connie. Excuse me a second. The food bin's in the back of the store, just go right to the bargain appliance aisle.
Connie Kendall: Bart!
Bart Rathbone: Not bad, huh, Connie? If I'd known this charity stuff was so good for business, I'd have done it years ago.
Connie Kendall: It is not supposed to be good for business. And would you mind telling me what this is all about, please?
Bart Rathbone: Hey, what's the big idea taking down one of my posters?
Connie Kendall: I didn't take it down, Jack did. And what's the big idea of making your own posters?
Bart Rathbone: Yours was too bland. Mine really livens things up.
Connie Kendall: Not to mention advertises the Electric Palace six times.
Bart Rathbone: People have got to know where to bring the food, don't they?
Connie Kendall: Bart, the whole purpose of this program is to feed the hungry, not advertise your store.
Bart Rathbone: My watch alarm. Love to stay and chat with you, Connie, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to excuse myself. I've got to get ready for a TV interview.
Connie Kendall: You're going to be on television?
Bart Rathbone: Yeah, on Odyssey Forum.
Connie Kendall: The talk show?
Bart Rathbone: Yeah. They called and said they want to interview me about the "Food for the Hungry" program.
Connie Kendall: Interview you? They should be interviewing Jack. It's his idea.
Bart Rathbone: But they didn't call Jack. They called me. I'll be on live in about 20 minutes, so be sure and tune in. See you! Bart! Bart! Oh, brother. How am I going to tell Jack?
Guest (Male): Defending truth, justice, and lots more truth. It's Captain Absolutely, and now you can read the revised and expanded comic series with 20 pages of new storylines. Join Captain Absolutely as he battles Dr. Relative. Get your copy at adventuresinodyssey.com.
Guest (Female): Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY. With a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.
Jack Allen: Good afternoon, Erica. How's the bicycle safety project going?
Erica: How's it going? I'll tell you how it's going. Great. That's how it's going. Great.
Jack Allen: I'm glad to hear it, I think.
Erica: Sure. Why shouldn't it be going great? Brenda Perry is on the job.
Jack Allen: Brenda who?
Erica: Perry. We go to school together, the credit-stealing backstabber.
Jack Allen: Credit-stealing backstabber? Erica, maybe you'd better calm down and tell me what happened.
Erica: It's just what I said. Brenda Perry helped me put up my helmet awareness posters at school this morning.
Jack Allen: That was nice of her.
Erica: That's what I thought too, until this afternoon. We had an assembly and Vice Principal Hunt told the whole school that he saw Brenda hanging up the posters and that he was so proud of all her hard work and great ideas.
Jack Allen: Well, it was an honest mistake. After all, the principal didn't know you were responsible for the posters, right?
Erica: Yeah, but Brenda didn't say anything to correct him either. She just stood there and took all the credit.
Jack Allen: Did he give her some sort of a reward, a certificate, or a good grade or something?
Erica: No.
Jack Allen: So you're really upset because Brenda got her name mentioned in front of the school.
Erica: No, I'm upset because Brenda got credit for my work.
Jack Allen: In front of the whole school.
Erica: Well, yeah.
Jack Allen: I see. Well, Whit's End isn't as big as your school, but there are quite a few kids in here now. I'll tell you what. I'll make an announcement that everyone knows the posters were your idea.
Erica: What?
Jack Allen: I'll do it from the top of the stairs so everyone can hear better.
Erica: But, Mr. Allen, no.
Jack Allen: What's the matter? Isn't attention what you wanted? The admiration of your peers?
Erica: Not exactly.
Jack Allen: Then what do you want? Why did you make those helmet awareness posters? To get a pat on the back or to help save kids' lives?
Erica: To help save kids. That doesn't mean I want Brenda to get the credit for it.
Jack Allen: Then I'll make an announcement giving you the credit for it.
Erica: No. Mr. Allen, you just don't understand.
Jack Allen: I guess I don't. Jack?
Jack Allen: Hi, Connie. How'd it go with Bart?
Connie Kendall: Well, I think I've created a Frankenstein.
Jack Allen: What do you mean?
Connie Kendall: There's something you need to know and I'm afraid it won't be easy for you to hear.
Jack Allen: What is it?
Connie Kendall: Let me get out the portable TV.
Jack Allen: The TV? But why?
Connie Kendall: Because that's the best way to tell you. Just listen.
Abby Livins: Welcome back to Odyssey Forum. I'm your host, Abby Livins. You know, feeding the hungry is a lot like the weather. Everyone complains, but no one really does anything about it. Well, on this segment, I want to introduce you to a local businessman who is doing something about it through a program called, appropriately enough, "Food for the Hungry." Bart Rathbone, welcome to Odyssey Forum.
Bart Rathbone: Thank you, Abby. It's a pleasure to be here.
Abby Livins: "Food for the Hungry." Tell us about it.
Bart Rathbone: Well, I think it speaks for itself, Abby. When you come to my store, the Electric Palace, located at 1313 Mockingbird Road, in addition to getting the best prices on electronic gear and equipment in town, you'll be able to help feed the hungry.
Abby Livins: How, Bart?
Bart Rathbone: By donating canned goods. We've got a big storage bin in the back of the store there where people can bring in canned goods and stuff like that, all for the poor.
Abby Livins: Now, how long have you been doing this?
Bart Rathbone: Just a couple of days, but I'm pleased to report that the response has been great.
Abby Livins: That's wonderful, Bart. Truly wonderful. How did you come up with this idea?
Bart Rathbone: Believe it or not, I was lying in bed one morning when it just sort of popped into my head.
Erica: What?
Bart Rathbone: You might say I was inspired.
Connie Kendall: I don't believe this.
Abby Livins: Your inspiration is an inspiration for all of us. Businessmen are so often portrayed as being heartless and cold, but here you are helping those less fortunate than yourself.
Bart Rathbone: It's like I've always said, Abby. The poor have got to eat too. You see, being a leader in the community means more than just offering low prices and great service on the finest electronics around, although we do that too. It means, well, being a leader. Because without leadership, nobody's really in charge. And when no one's in charge, well, you've got no leader.
Abby Livins: Well said, Bart. Well said. We have to take a break. We'll talk more with Bart Rathbone when Odyssey Forum continues right after this.
Connie Kendall: I'm telling you, this is a new low even for Bart. "Food for the Hungry" was your idea, Jack.
Jack Allen: It was.
Erica: You see, Mr. Allen? Now can you understand how I feel about Brenda?
Jack Allen: Yes, Erica, I do understand it a little better.
Connie Kendall: Doesn't it make you angry?
Jack Allen: Actually, no.
Connie Kendall: No? But Jack, Bart Rathbone just took credit for all your work.
Jack Allen: Who cares as long as the hungry are being fed?
Erica: Huh?
Jack Allen: Look, I'm not against either giving or getting credit for good work and ideas. But that's not why I started the "Food for the Hungry" program. I started it to gather food for the hungry. And apparently, that's what Bart is doing. So how can I be upset that the program's working?
Erica: But Mr. Rathbone should have said something about you, just like Brenda should have said something about me.
Jack Allen: Maybe they should have, but Brenda and Bart have their rewards in full. Fame, glory, praise. Those things are fleeting. You and I have the satisfaction of knowing that our work is helping to save lives. Isn't that the most important thing?
Erica: Yeah, it is.
Connie Kendall: Odyssey Forum's back on.
Abby Livins: We're back with Bart Rathbone. Now Bart, I'm sure there are many viewers out there who would like to get involved with "Food for the Hungry" and who would like to know just how the program works.
Bart Rathbone: Well, like I said, Abby, it's easy. Everyone should just bring canned goods to the Electric Palace.
Abby Livins: What happens then?
Bart Rathbone: Then?
Abby Livins: Yes, what happens to the canned goods after people bring them in? How do they get distributed?
Bart Rathbone: Distributed?
Abby Livins: To the hungry.
Connie Kendall: What's the matter with him?
Erica: He doesn't know. He was so caught up with the profit potential he never bothered to find out how the program really works.
Abby Livins: Bart?
Bart Rathbone: Yeah, yeah. Well, Abby, the distribution of the food really isn't my area. For information about that, you really ought to contact Jack Allen.
Abby Livins: Jack Allen?
Bart Rathbone: Yeah, over at Whit's End. He sort of set up the distribution end of things, so he knows more about it than I do. Great worker, that Jack. I never could have done none of this without him.
Connie Kendall: Oh, brother.
Jack Allen: I never knew Bart was such a good tap dancer.
Connie Kendall: You said it.
Brenda: Erica.
Erica: Brenda.
Brenda: Erica, before you say anything, I'm really, really sorry. I don't know what came over me. When Mr. Hunt called me up there, my mind just sort of went blank and I couldn't think of anything to say. I've been trying to correct things. I even went to Mr. Hunt and told him what happened and that the ideas and posters were all yours. I know that doesn't make up for everything, but I'm really, really sorry.
Erica: It's okay, Brenda. Getting credit doesn't matter. The important thing is that we're spreading the word about helmet awareness.
Brenda: We? Does that mean we're still friends?
Erica: Of course it does. And partners too.
Brenda: Partners? Really?
Erica: Sure. There's still a lot of work to do and I cannot do it by myself. What do you say?
Brenda: I say okay.
Jack Allen: Why don't you two have a seat and get started?
Erica: Right. And thanks, Mr. Allen.
Jack Allen: You're welcome, Erica.
Erica: I was thinking we could do like a skit or something in front of the whole school.
Connie Kendall: So, I guess everything kind of worked out.
Jack Allen: I guess. And speaking of work, I see a few tables over there that need cleaning.
Connie Kendall: Okay, okay, but I want credit for it.
Jack Allen: Whatever you say.
Chris: In Matthew Chapter 6, verse 1, in the great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Beware of doing your good deeds in front of others to be admired. For then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Like Jack told Erica about Brenda and Bart, the important thing is that you're helping people, not that you get credit for it. And what's even more important is making sure your actions are pleasing to God. Well, that's all for now. If you'd like to write to us, we'd sure love to hear from you. Just send your card or letter to Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you could get your own copy of today's episode. It's called "Rewards in Full." That address again is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "Rewards in Full" was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Mark Drury and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.