Dublin, in the 1750’s, was a perilous place to live. The city had dangerously high rates of poverty, domestic violence, and alcoholism driven by unsafe drinking water and an abundance of whiskey. Arthur Guinness, following the death of his employer, had to start over at the age of 30. As a devout Protestant, his personal motto - Spes Mea in Deo (Latin, meaning, “My hope is in God”) - would motivate him to solve his own vocational crisis along with the many social ills of Dublin.

The beer itself provided a safe alternative to the unsanitary water in Dublin, while also diminishing the ill effects of mass consumption of whiskey. As the company grew, he was well-known for paying above-market rates and retaining doctors to provide medical care to employees and their extended families.

In other words, driven by a conviction that hope is tangible and drives us to meaningful action in the present, he sought to solve the multi-headed problem facing Dublin in his day. Mass-produced beer had enough alcohol content to be safe to drink, without the consequences of higher proof alcohol (poverty, domestic violence, and alcoholism). The growth of the company and subsequent employment of Dubliners provided meaningful income to lift families out of poverty and grant security by providing free medical care. One well-executed business changed the face and destiny of Dublin for generations.

Dallas Willard - the late Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California and ordained Pastor - once said, “Business is God’s Idea.” The ability to generate capital leading to an increase in the standard of living for those involved is an expression of the Sermon on the Mount and a “spill-over” effect of God’s Kingdom through the good works of his people.

It should not surprise us, then, that meaningful work and gainful employment has a significant effect on the formerly incarcerated. One study found that those who found good work and maintained it for one-year saw recidivism drop from 52% to 16%. And those that found work shortly after their release had a recidivism rate of less than 9%. Similar to the effects in 18th century Dublin at Guinness’s counter-market approach to business, dignified and well-paid work directly reduces rates of incarceration, poverty, and a host of other social ills. In short, part of the common-grace-good brought on by God’s Kingdom.

- Dallas Willard