Working
conditions in England during the 19th century were abysmal. Men, women, and
children labored in dangerous factories during the day and went home to dirty
tenement slums at night. Many of the factory owners cared little for the
well-being of their employees.
But
during that time, the owners of the Cadbury chocolate company were different.
Quakers by conviction and business entrepreneurs by giftedness, they focused on
improving the working conditions of their 200 workers. The Cadburys built a
state-of-the-art factory with heated dressing rooms, a kitchen, and recreational
areas. And to care for the employees’ spiritual needs, the workday started with
Bible study.
Colossians
4:1 tells us: “Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing
that you also have a Master in heaven.” Certainly the Cadburys sought to give
their employees what was just and fair. But their heavenly orientation
motivated them to go a step further to meet physical and spiritual needs.
Though we
may not own a company, we do have regular contact with a variety of people. As
believers, it is important to be ethical in our dealings. We can also, with
God’s enablement, care about others’ well-being through prayer, encouragement,
and the meeting of physical needs (Gal. 6:10).
Lord,
thank You for loving us and meeting our needs. Often You bring people into our lives who need Your love and care. Give us wisdom to creatively reachout a helping hand that we might share Your kindness.
God
blesses us so that we can bless others. (RBC)
