Morning Devotional

December 10, 2003

"A Lesson From a Christmas Carol" 

by Don Emmitte

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You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something about it. Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have. If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have. Of course, I don't mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone's needs will be met. Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? "Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough." (2 Corinthians 8:9-15 NLT).

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!