As a child I enjoyed reading and rereading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, in which the eccentric factory owner, Willy Wonka, must manage five children visiting his chocolate factory.
This first occurs when they see the river of chocolate for the first time. The gluttonous and obese Augustus Gloop is mesmerized by the gallons of sweetness flowing past them and wanders off to scoop some up with his bare hands, despite Willy Wonka’s urgent warnings. Sure enough Augustus falls into the river.
In the 1971 movie version, Augustus’ mother begs Mr. Wonka (who cares far more about his contaminated chocolate than the piggish child) to save her spoiled son. Complete with monotone voice and deadpan expression, he dryly utters, “Help. Police. Murder.” He does not try to save Augustus from the consequences of his disobedience. Wonka knows where the boy will end up (the Fudge Room) and that with the help of some Oompa Loompas he’ll survive.
As the factory owner and confectionary genius, Mr. Wonka expects the children to respect his guidelines. When they cross those lines they suffer repercussions, but he graciously summons the Oompa Loompas to save them from destruction and to escort them out of the factory, albeit with the visible and lasting effects of their disobedience.
Although not a perfect analogy (because God never tempts anyone with evil, but our own lusts lead us astray—James 1:13-15) Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory is a picture of our world, full of temptations and the unavoidable consequences we’ll suffer when living selfishly.
In this life God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth. When we fail to follow that leading, however, He comforts us and woos us back onto His path. Like Willy Wonka leading his guests through each room of his factory, God offers us wisdom and guidelines as we enter each new situation of the day—if we will but listen!
Unlike the cinematic versions, in the original book Charlie drinks no fizzy lifting drink, nor does he pocket an Everlasting Gobstopper—thus avoiding unnecessary pain and suffering. He obeys the factory owner because he believes that rules exist for his protection. He doesn’t even know that in the end he’ll win the entire factory! He simply obeys because he follows wisdom rather than his emotions or cravings.
So although I never thought I’d hold up a Roald Dahl children’s book character as a role model, I submit to you that Charlie had what it takes. Unlike the four other (spoiled) children who visited the factory, he had no prospects of success in life. Yet Charlie didn’t cheat, lie, or steal. And this unselfish attitude, exemplified by loving his family and respecting Mr. Wonka, made all the difference in the end.
As Paul advises, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves (Philippians 2:3). Following these guidelines, we’ll enjoy rewards that far exceed a lifetime supply of chocolate.
