Dickens reminds us that events from our past shape us and our understanding of the world.
However, he implies that we still have free will enough to choose our own paths.
Scrooge clearly had a choice at this point to have a happy life shared with Belle or devote himself to the selfish pursuit of wealth.
Dickens shows how society also played a part in Scrooge’s obsession: Scrooge’s impoverished early childhood and rejection by his father could be seen as reasons why he wants to acquire his own wealth and security.