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).
God
blesses us so that we can bless others. (RBC)
