Nobody Wants to Be Friends With a Scrooge

By Jonny Leech

It is always exciting getting ready for Christmas in my house. We love it! It may be November, but we are already starting to plan for the holiday season. What’s not to love? Great food, great company, giving and receiving gifts, children being excited, families coming together, churches stepping up their game, attendance figures high, carol services, nativities, and those far from God joining in the celebrations. God Himself stepped down from heaven, and we received Emmanuel, God with us. What an incredible gift, one I will never get over.

One thing I do not understand about Christmas — and indeed for the rest of the year too — is when people act like the character from the Charles Dickens novel “A Christmas Carol,” Scrooge. Nobody wants to be friends with a scrooge!

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“How do we ensure that we are in this world and not of it when it comes to our finances and possessions?”

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In a world filled with endless distractions and materialism, especially at Christmas, it is easy to get caught up in the comparison game and the competition for personal gain and forget the importance of generosity as an essential element of our Christian journey. It is fine having nice things, even good — I believe that all the good gifts in my life, both material and immaterial, have been given from God — but what is not good is when things have us. So how do we ensure that we are in this world and not of it when it comes to our finances and possessions?

I believe the antidote to greed is generosity. I simply don’t think you can be greedy and generous at the same time. If you are freely giving from that which God has entrusted into your care — whether this is through your tithe to your local church, helping the single mum with her groceries, ensuring your children are set well for their adult lives or tipping the university student who is waiting tables on the weekend — then you are not hoarding. This is healthy. This saves you from being a scrooge!

Generosity is a character trait. It is something that other people see in you. You cannot simply self-identify as a generous person; it is others who recognise you as generous. It is a bit like the leader who says they are approachable, but we all know they are anything but. We would not want to be the person to give them feedback or offer direction as your input would not be welcome, but they continue to see themselves as approachable because they have an open-door policy. The same goes for being a thankful giver. If you think you are generous but your friends, family or — dare I say it — pastor think you are stingy, then you unfortunately have some work to do. Generosity is not something you do; it’s who you are!

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“You can only give from an overflow, from the extra that you do not need.”

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Generosity isn’t something God wants from us but something He wants for us.

Generosity is not just a good thing; it’s a God thing. It is a way of life that mirrors the love of God. God’s Word encourages us to give without expecting anything in return, to share our blessings with others selflessly. In short, we are blessed so we in turn can be a blessing to others. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we read, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

There is nothing more fulfilling or joy-giving than being generous. It lifts our hearts, focuses our attention on those in need and reminds us of the gifts God has given us. You can only give from an overflow, from the extra that you do not need. There is something about the act of being part of the answer to someone’s prayer that is good for our soul and reminds us of who owns all of our possessions. Remember we are merely stewards. The most fun you can have with money is giving it away.

Give a little until you can give a lot.

As a pastor, I often get asked, “How much should you give?” My answer is always “as much as you can! Give a little until you can give a lot.”

Little is much when God is in it. His economy is upside down to our economy, which is actually the right way round. In Mark 12:41–44, we encounter the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus and His disciples were observing people giving their offerings at the temple when a poor widow approached. She placed two small coins (all that she had to her name) into the offering. Jesus commended her for her gift, saying, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.”

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“Generosity is not about the size of our wallets; it’s about the size of our hearts.”

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This passage beautifully illustrates the principle that it’s not the quantity of our giving, but the sincerity and sacrifice behind it that truly matters. Generosity doesn’t require vast resources; it’s about the heart behind the gift. Generosity is not about the size of our wallets; it’s about the size of our hearts. Come on; if a widow with not many resources can make a meaningful contribution to the kingdom, then I know you have no excuses for not doing likewise.

God’s generosity is abundant and overflowing. He provides for our every need, both material and spiritual. It’s our duty as believers to reflect His generosity by sharing our blessings with others. Freely we have received and freely we should give. This applies to forgiveness, grace and money. We often underestimate the impact of our giving, but the Bible assures us that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

This promise reflects the principle of reaping what you sow. When we give generously, God blesses us in return, not necessarily with material wealth, but with a deep sense of contentment and spiritual growth. This is a divine exchange program with eternal benefits!

God went first.

We are generous because it is God’s example. He gave, gives and will continue to give generously to us. Just think about Jesus, the greatest Christmas gift. God went first.

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“… we are called to be conduits of His love.”

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Generosity is a journey of faith that never truly ends. It’s a path we walk throughout our lives, learning and growing along the way. As Free Methodists, we’re called to be more than just recipients of God’s blessings — we are called to be conduits of His love. By practicing generosity, we not only honour His teachings but also become a living testament to His grace.

So, let’s embrace the joy of giving and apply it to our lives. Let’s remember the widow’s mite and give from our hearts, knowing that even the smallest gifts can make a significant impact. Let’s walk in the abundance of God’s grace, understanding that our generosity brings blessings beyond measure. Generosity reflects our faith in a God who has been extravagantly generous with us. Giving will not only enrich your own life but also shine the light of Christ’s love for all to see. So don’t be a scrooge; nobody wants to be friends with a scrooge.

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