“Am I my brother’s keeper?” That’s an interesting question to consider during the holiday season. This time of year, we receive numerous invitations to house parties, office parties, family dinners and the like. But let’s take the time to think about all the people who cross our paths each day and ask ourselves whether we are their keepers. We need to look more deeply at what that means.

Even as a non-practitioner of faith of any kind, I am familiar with the Bible’s account of Cain and his brother, Abel. It seems that after Cain had taken his brother’s life, he was asked where his brother was. His response: “I know not. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Cain’s words have come to symbolize people’s unwillingness to accept responsibility for the welfare of others — their “brothers,” in the extended sense of the term. The tradition of Judaism and Christianity is that people do have some responsibility to watch out for and care for one another. This principle is seen as being reflected in Jesus’ admonition that loving one another is the greatest of all God’s commandments.

Let’s consider one corporation’s effort to help others during these hard economic times.

Howard Shultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, together with the Opportunity Finance Network, a national network of community lending organizations, recently established a $5 million fund to provide financing to community businesses that help create local jobs. On Nov. 1, the Create Jobs for USA initiative was launched at each Starbucks store. Donors who contribute $5 or more to the fund receive a “Let’s Create Jobs for USA” bracelet, and the money is used to finance community businesses. As of Nov. 14, donors had already added $1 million to the fund. For more information about this fund, go to www.CreateJobsForUSA.org.

A few weeks ago, I stopped by my local Starbucks in Rutherford, N.J. I bought two bracelets — one for me and one for Sherman. When I got home that evening, I gave Sherman his bracelet with the request that he keep the one I gave him as a gift and that he pay forward one bracelet for someone else. I am my brother’s keeper.

I know this is not my typical story. However, it is a good opportunity to look at the welfare of those we know who may be out of work, out of money, lost in debt, and feeling like things are not looking good.

So I offer a challenge. Pay it forward. When you order your next latte or brewed coffee, take a moment to pick up a bracelet or two, maybe three. Buy one for yourself and one for someone else, and ask that person to do the same. We are in this together and we are all going to rise on the same tide or sink. We are all going to make it or we are all going to fail. Become your brother’s keeper.
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