Main Point: It’s better to help others out than to take from them.

Synopsis:

• A goofy guy repeatedly swipes lemonade from a little girl –only to have “stealer’s remorse.”
• A little girl has a lemonade stand outside her modest home—asking 25 cents per cup. The swindler cheats her by only giving her a nickel the first time around.
• On his second visit, the relentless villain poses as a police officer and steals the lemonade—and has the audacity to question why he should buy lemonade when he can get it from free at his grandmother’s.
• On his third visit, he sticks his finger in the glass and justifies having to drink the now contaminated glass—it’s this action that finally breaks the girl—she runs away.
• It’s then that the guy notices that on her cardboard sign in small print she is raising money for her grandmother’s kidney.
• The next day—the girl comes to the front yard only to find a new and improved version of her stand—her nemesis has repented and is now her co-laborerer.
• There’s a line waiting for lemonade as her new associate has bigger drinking glasses, funky straws, and a new sign—that displays the purpose of the cause.
• Instrumental music enhances the story line as do text images.

Application:

• Stealing is not an honorable way to live life—this guy learns he gets more satisfaction out of helping the girl than stealing from her.
• This guy was so “me” focused that he wasn’t able to see the bigger picture
• Even when we try to justify our sins, it is still wrong.
• When we mistreat others or steal from them, we are hurting them.
• Sometimes our foes can become our friends

Suggested Uses:

Children’s ministry – Sunday School or Children’s Church

Vacation Bible school –lesson on Giving and Receiving

Biblical Reference:

It’s better to give than to receive