The Chains of Marley: Our Christian and Humanitarian Benevolent Responsibility

By Charles E. Cabler

One way to fulfill Gods expectation of good stewardship is to contribute to the welfare of mankind using the gifts and talents God has given. In addition to providing an abundant life, God also gives each person the option of choice. A person can choose to be benevolent or oblivious to the needs of others. The choice is his or hers, along with the consequence of that choice. Being benevolent is a humanitarian responsibility for all people, whether or not they are a Christian. This book compares the individual benevolence obligation to Jacob Marley, the fictional character in Charles Dickens novella, A Christmas Carol. Jacob Marleys life, attitudes, characteristics, decisions, influences, and final destiny are discussed with the anticipation that, if people look closely, they may see a little of themselves reflected in this story.

What I like about this book, among other things, is how universal its concept is. How could the concept [of benevolence] be so widely held, yet so widely ignored? We all benefit from the very thing we so secretly want to avoid. This book confronts each of us in the area of that secret and gives us the freedom to do what we already know we should.
Brian Boyles, Senior Pastor of Northside Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449780777

Charles E. Cabler

Charles was raised in a Christian home, baptized into the Christian faith at the age of twelve, and continues to be a follower of Christ’s teachings. Through his family, church, Bible schools and work he learned the importance of being a friend to others and providing help as he had opportunity. Charles and his wife, Glenda, actively support their church and several independent charitable, religious and missionary organizations. In addition to church activities, Charles volunteers as a facilitator for a Job Search & Career Transition Workshop assisting unemployed people in becoming a stronger job candidate by being better prepared when applying for a job. Charles is working to convert the job search workshop training material into a published book to provide help to many people outside the region in which the workshops are conducted. Additionally, he provides individual self-development and career counseling services. Charles retired after a forty -three -year career in the financial services industry, and currently reside in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a veteran having served six years in the US Air Force, and is a member of the American Legion, the American Veterans organization, the USO, and the Welcome Home Veterans Organization in Mooresville, NC. He has written and published a book titled, "What Every Employee Should Know To Be Successful." This book encourages workplace personal success through the application of Christian values and principles, self-improvement, hard work and dedication to achieving goals. He can be contacted through his web site-www.charlescabler.vpweb.com, LinkedIn, or email at [e-mail].

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Copyright © 2013 Charles E. Cabler.

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Biblical references in this book are taken from:

The Holy Bible, King James Version, the Open Bible Edition, Copyright 1975 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, by The Lockman Foundation, Used by permission.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-8078-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8077-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012924141

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/16/2013

Table of Contents

Which Are You?

Acknowledgements

Forward

Introduction

Chapter 1 It Was Not About Jacob Marley

Chapter 2 Jacob Marley’s Personal Characteristics

Chapter 3 Jacob Marley Did Not Live the Golden Rule

Chapter 4 Avoiding Jacob Marley’s Chains

Chapter 5 A Question of Responsibility

Chapter 6 A Time of Change

Chapter 7 Being Charitable

Chapter 8 The Visionary Difference

Epilogue

Notes and References

About the Author

Which Are You?

There are only two kinds of people on earth today

Two kinds of people, no more I say.

Not the rich and the poor, for to know a man’s wealth

You must first know the state of his conscience and health,

Not the happy and sad, for in life’s passing years,

Each has his laughter and each has his tears.

No, the two kinds of people on earth I mean

Are the people who lift and the people who lean.

In which class are you? Are you lifting the load

of some overtaxed lifter who’s going down the road

Or are you a leaner who lets others share

Your portion of toil and labor and care?

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

1850-1919

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to the following people for their prayers, contributions, support and encouragement during the writing of this book. I express my heartfelt thanks, gratitude, and appreciation first, for their desire to carry out God’s plan for benevolence and second, for their interest in my book.

Glenda L. Cabler

My Wife and Best Friend

CBN Operation Blessing Patron

Bible League International Member

Brian Boyles

Senior Pastor, Northside Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC.

Masters of Divinity - Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Bachelor degree - Southern Evangelical Seminary

William H. (Bill) Michel

Facilitator-Disciple Bible Study Program

United Methodist Church-Charlotte NC

Ann Wicker

Vice President, East Oak Media, LLC

Writer-Editor

Forward

What I like about this book, among other things, is how universal its concept is. Charles begins with a premise of the importance of generosity, reminds us of a story we are all familiar with starring Ebenezer Scrooge, shows insights I had not considered before regarding this timeless classic, and even adds quotes from people of various theological positions. Here’s the kicker: they all agree on the value, benefit and importance of living a generous life!

How could such a concept be so widely held, yet so widely ignored? We all benefit from the very thing we so secretly want to avoid. This book confronts each of us in the area of that secret and gives us the freedom to do what we already know we should.

Take this book, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy the ride! You’ll be glad you did. I am thankful Charles wrote this book. I am thankful to have him as a friend. I know the rest of us will be thankful for how this book impacts you as an individual.

Brian Boyles, Senior Pastor

Northside Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC.

Introduction

The concept of giving should permeate the Christian life. This is not an idea devised by man, but an attitude instituted by God. He created and gave us the world in which we live (Genesis1:1); He gave us life (Genesis 2:7); He gives us blessings continually (I Corinthians 2:12); He gave his Son as a propitiation for our sin (John 3:16); and Jesus gave his