A Christmas Carol Series ~ Stave One

Are you putting yourself out there?  Have you ever been asked that question?  It might relate to making friends—  Are you making yourself approachable so that others know you are not closed off?  Or it might relate to romantic involvement—  Are you sending the signals to that special someone so he or she might know you are interested?  A third possibility relates to your professional endeavors—  Are you taking on the projects and producing a work load that is going to get you noticed?  But for the follower of Christ, it has a different application.

In Scrooge, we see the anti-type of a follower of Christ.  He underpays his clerk and makes him work in deplorable conditions.  He spurns the unconditional offers of love and friendship from his nephew.  And he antagonizes the charitable gentlemen who want nothing but a small donation with which to do good.  Scrooge is certainly not putting himself out there.

For the follower of Christ, the corollary to the Great Commandment exemplifies putting oneself out there.  When Jesus said “…and a second which is like it: love your neighbor as yourself,” he gave us the supreme guidance for putting ourselves out there.  And it is not so we can receive the benefit.  It is so those around us can benefit. How does the follower of Christ put himself or herself out there?  They do it by finding an object of Christ-like love.

Discussion Questions

Who in Stave One was putting themselves out there?
How had Scrooge closed himself off?
How had Scrooge’s pursuit of success caused him to deal with the people around him?  (How had it made him deal with Bob Cratchit?  How had it made him deal with his nephew, Fred?  How did it make him respond to the two gentlemen seeking donations?  Others?)
Do you see any tendencies of Scrooge in yourself?
Who are you likely to cross paths with tomorrow that could use a simple demonstration of love?