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14. Scrooge Economics?
In truth, don't we get so much more out of life when
we give more than we get? This is the essence of the
so-called
"Christmas Spirit,"
as described by Charles
Dickens in A Christmas Carol. Dickens contrasted the
"Christmas Spirit"
of giving, generosity, and cheer, with
the stinginess of greedy, grasping Ebenezer Scrooge.
It
seemed that in Dickens' mind Scrooge was a
typical capitalist. In hindsight, Scrooge probably was no
more a typical capitalist than Dickens was a typical
writer. Scrooge was, however, saved from spiritual ruin
and converted by the Ghosts of Christmas past, present,
and future. Even then, it was his private property which
enabled him to be generous.
The new Scrooge did .not forsake capitalism.
Voluntary, unrewarded activities very often depend on
having time, money, and property. Scrooge just
needed to learn about the consequences of the painfully
lonely
''opportunity costs"
of not giving. The Scriptures
suggest that he who mocks the poor rebukes his
neighbor.
The,
"Christmas Spirit"
of giving and sharing persists
today, in part, because capitalism and private property
survive. And, by the way, to perpetuate this, the new
Ebenezer Scrooge showed up at his business early the
next mqrning, the day after Christmas. There was a
pay raise and extra coal in the fire, to warm Bob
Cratchit's cold bones, making him a more productive
employee.
Dickens may not have fully realized that it is the
ownership of private property, and the freedom to use
it, that permits Christmas giving to occur. One of the
popular movie versions of A Christmas Carol ends with
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