A Lesson from a Christmas Carol

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” (2 Corinthians 8:9-15 ESV). It’s that time of the year when we are asked to give to many different charities and causes. From our own churches and annual budget drives to the volunteers in front of department stores ringing bells, there are many opportunities to give. As I thought about that, the well-known Christmas story, "A Christmas Carol” by English writer, Charles Dickens, came to mind. You recall it is a story where an old, wealthy yet grumpy and selfish man named Ebenezer Scrooge didn't care much about Christmas nor about helping those less fortunate than himself. Although he was blessed with the financial resources to be a blessing to others, he instead kept his riches selfishly to himself. He kept this up until he received visitation from three spirits who showed him the painful side effects of his selfish actions unless he changes course. Afterwards, he did change his ways and became one of the most generous men in England. I believe that Charles Dickens was implying a spiritual message behind this story so that we would not mistakenly read this as just another cute Christmas story. Did you know that the name "Ebenezer" is Hebrew for "stone of help"? Ebenezer Scrooge in the story was not living up to the true definition of his name until he received supernatural intervention that caused him to have a change of heart and, thus, enabled him to be a financial stone of help to those around him. Sometimes, God needs to stir up our own nests so that we do not live our lives beneath our true potential. The Lord intends for us to live our lives daily in accordance to His righteous standards, and this is done when we deepen our relationship with Him. The more we spend time with Him, the more Christ-like attributes we take on. Once we become more like Christ, we will be more of a blessing to those around us. Christ constantly gave of Himself selflessly to others; even old man Scrooge had a giving spirit after His supernatural encounter, let us therefore model Christ the best way we can. I hope you don’t need that kind of reminder to share the things God has blessed you with, especially at this time of the year!