The Scrooge in me...

“Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it.”  Charles Dickens

  This year is the 50^th Anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For me, he’s one of the ultimate baddies of Christmas. I love to watch the 1966 version. I love the theme song. Until recently, I didn’t realize that Dr. Seuss wrote the lyrics or that it was performed by Tony the Tiger. Okay, it was Thurl Ravenscroft…who is best known as the voice of Tony the Tiger.

  But my all-time favorite Christmas baddie is Ebenezer Scrooge. A few times I’ve been fortunate to see a live performance of Dicken’s classic tale, A Christmas Carol. It’s much more powerful than watching it on TV.

  We all know that Scrooge was stingy. I think he’s a lot more complicated than that and Dickens wanted us to see the horrific ripple effect of his cold heart. Stinginess was merely the fruit of many other vile roots. If we look in the mirror, we’ll unfortunately see more of Scrooge in ourselves than we want to admit. A lack of generosity was merely the fruit. In fact, generosity is the cure and one of the best ways to attack these foul roots. Check it out for yourself. Is there a Scrooge in you? 

  Scrooge was condescending. Somehow of late, condescension has become more acceptable. Yet, although it’s more common, that doesn’t mean it’s any less repugnant. A condescending spirit is arrogance with an ice pick. We are the opinionated culture. We tend to be very opinionated about nearly anything and everything. But it doesn’t stop there. We condescendingly look down on, speak disparagingly of and to – anyone who dares to disagree with us. We act as if we’re the standard of correctness. We’re not. Truth does not begin and end with us.

  About the only thing we can be certain of is that which is revealed in God’s Word. God is Truth (Isaiah 65:16) and His Word, the Bible is truth (John 17:17). Scripture is not subjective or malleable (2 Peter 1:20-21). But virtually everything else is subjective…from what nation or region of that nation is best, to career, food, sports team, educational choice, political party, church, music preference, clothes, car, neighborhood, etc.  

  Though Jesus spoke the truth very passionately, He wasn’t condescending. He often asked questions, rather than rubbing someone’s nose in obvious truth. He was the model of humility and amicableness.

  Scrooge was critical and harsh. Just say, “Bah humbug” and most know you’re imitating Scrooge. He criticized Bob Cratchit for wanting to spend time with his family. He demeaned his nephew, Fred, for enjoying the festivity of Christmas. Pettiness is the national pastime. Think of what you were critical about just recently in your mind, if not with your mouth. But does what you pontificated about even matter? Like Scrooge, the harsh things we say to those closest to us (family, friends, co-workers) hurt. If something doesn’t need to be said, it probably shouldn’t be. Jesus saw the good things others were doing that most missed, like a poor woman dropping two pennies in the offering. He was the model of encouragement. No wonder others thronged to be around Him. Being around Him was so refreshing. Critical individuals though are so draining. Which one are you?

  Scrooge was a workaholic and materialistic. The Bible teaches the value of a work ethic. We’re not to be indolent. But there’s so much more to life than work. No one ever gets to the end of life, regretting that they didn’t work more. Scrooge put in long hours, but for what? In the end, he left it all. Sure, he had nice things but he didn’t enjoy them…and he certainly didn’t share them. It doesn’t take long for that thing we thought we had to have to grow old and stale. Yet, it’s amazing, when we share what God has blessed us with, how much it increases our fulfillment and enjoyment.

  Scrooge was self-absorbed and uncompassionate. Scrooge looked at the poor and those in dire circumstances as a nuisance. What are your thoughts when you see someone dressed a bit shabbily? What about a child that’s unkempt? Or, worse a misbehaving one not being monitored by a parent? Do you think, “What a brat”? What about the person using food stamps in front of you at the grocery store? Are you the judge and jury of their situation? John 4 is a very convicting Bible passage for me. I doubt that I’d have engaged that immoral woman in a compassionate conversation like Jesus did. I wonder how many times I’m an uncompassionate Scrooge and miss an opportunity to be Jesus to someone.

  Scrooge was isolated and miserable. No one wanted to be around him. They only sought him out because they wanted something from him.

  I truly feel sorry for those who are wealthy, famous or powerful. They aren’t certain who their friends actually are. They’re not always certain if their spouse or children love them. Do others truly want to be in their presence or are they looking for a present? If they lost it all, who’d still be there for them? It was the lesson the Prodigal Son learned. He didn’t have friends; he had leeches. Once he’s out of funds, he’s out of friends.

  Yet, a generous person has more friends than they will ever know. Those who are truly generous give without strings, expecting nothing in return.

  I’m always wonderfully surprised when someone who doesn’t love Jesus is gracious and generous. They’re doing something unnatural. Selfishness is the realm of the natural. Scrooge just happened to have the resources to act as many of us would like to, if we thought we could get away with it.  

  As I read the Bible, it’s apparent that it’s very difficult to be stingy and yet be a Christian. It violates everything God is and the Bible teaches. Once you’ve experienced God’s grace, grace you know you’re so undeserving and unworthy of, how can you not be generous? Salvation means you’re a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It changes our whole worldview.

  It’s easy to talk a lot about your faith, have lots of Bible knowledge, but know so little of God’s grace. Head knowledge without a heart transformation is the Scrooge condition. 

  Are you a generous person? If others knew how much you share of your time and treasure, would they consider you generous? More importantly, does God think you’re generous? Scrooge wonderfully changed. Sadly, that rarely happens. The only way you and I will ever become generous won’t be by turning over a new leaf, it’s by surrendering to a generous God and letting Him change our heart. Are you a Scrooge? Let a generous God give you a new heart. That’s why Jesus came, “to save us from our sins.”

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.