I’ve been thinking a lot lately about villains. Maybe it’s
only natural that at this time of year Ebenezer Scrooge keeps coming to mind. Scrooge
is actually an honest, law-abiding citizen. The people who owe him money went
into debt willingly. All he expects is that they pay what is owed. If the law
demanded that he pay his clerk more or treat his nephew better, he’d do that. When
gentlemen ask him to donate to the poor, he’s offended. He pays his taxes in
full, and he expects those taxes to cover institutions that care for the poor. The
only thing Scrooge is missing is compassion. When Marley’s ghost visits Scrooge,
he tells him a life of observing the letter of the law will lead to an eternity
of remorse. Scrooge is shocked – shaken to his core. Suddenly, we’re back to 1
Corinthians 13. If we do everything we’re supposed to, but have no charity, we’re
all villains.
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