Kurt Warner Burst

KURT WARNER BURST onto the NFL scene in a blaze of glory. In 1999, an injury to the St. Louis Rams starting quarterback gave Warner the chance to play. And he made the most of the opportunity by leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory.

Warner’s 4,353 passing yards for 41 touchdowns and 13 interceptions earned him the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award that season. He also passed for a Super Bowl record 414 yards to claim MVP honors in football’s biggest game.

But as fans in St. Louis know, Warner’s an MVP off the field as well. His First Things First Foundation helps children and families.

Through the FUNdamental ticket program, Kurt provides 20 tickets to every Rams home game for those involved with Sunshine Ministries. The kids and parents attend a church service with Kurt and his wife, Brenda, on the Friday night before the game. Warner has also teamed up with Homes for the Holidays to help single mothers purchase houses. First Things First joins with local organizations and the St. Louis Rams for a winter coat drive called Warner’s Warm-up. Each year Rams fans donate an average of 10,000 coats and $10,000, which is distributed to homeless shelters, schools, and social service centers. And through First Things First Scholars, Kurt awards $4,000 scholarships to high school graduates who are positively influencing others and want to continue their education.

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POINT Kurt knows he’s blessed to play in the NFL. He gives God the glory for his skills and achievements every chance he gets. And he gives back to society as a demonstration of God’s love. By helping the less fortunate, Kurt’s doing exactly what God commands. He wants children to grow up with hope.

In the Bible, Luke wrote that Jesus grew in strength, wisdom, and grace. Jesus’ family wasn’t wealthy. He didn’t live a life of privilege. God is concerned about our material needs, but that’s not his main desire. He wants us to grow like Jesus—in strength and wisdom and grace.

GOAL! Something that might be meaningful this season would be to give Christmas gifts to a child who needs your help. Consider Angel Tree, a ministry that provides presents for children whose parents are in jail. Or you could send a gift-filled shoe box to a needy child through Operation Christmas Child. Ask God to help the child grow in strength and wisdom and grace.