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