Baha’i
Writings
2. Human / Mental
2.5
Work & Service (Achievement
& Progress)
2.5.1
Work & Service – Hishest form of Worship
Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 83)
2.5.2
Work & Service – Rich and poor
Work is to be provided for all and there will be no needy ones to be seen in the
streets.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 83)
2.5.3
Work & Service – The highest righteousness
The highest righteousness of all is for blessed souls to take hold of the hands
of the helpless and deliver them out of their ignorance and abasement and
poverty, and with pure motives, and only for the sake of God, to arise and
energetically devote themselves to the service of the masses, forgetting their
own worldly advantage and working only to serve the general good.
(Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 103)
2.5.4
Work & Service – The obligation to work
Every individual, no matter how handicapped and limited he may be, is under the
obligation of engaging in some work or profession, for work, especially when
performed in the spirit of service, is according to Bahá'u'lláh a form of
worship. It has not only a utilitarian purpose, but has a value in itself,
because it draws us nearer to God, and enables us to better grasp His purpose
for us in this world. It is obvious, therefore, that the inheritance of wealth
cannot make anyone immune from daily work.
(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 192)
2.5.5
Work & Service - Taxation
Each person in the community whose need is equal to his individual producing
capacity shall be exempt from taxation.
But if his income is greater than his needs, he must pay a tax until an
adjustment is effected. That is to
say, a man's capacity for production and his needs will be equalized and
reconciled through taxation. If his production exceeds, he will pay a tax; if
his necessities exceed his production, he shall receive an amount sufficient to
equalize or adjust. Therefore,
taxation will be proportionate to capacity and production, and there will be no
poor in the community.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of
Universal Peace* Pages 217
2.5.6
Work & Service –
Giving to the poor and the right of God
Baha'u'llah, likewise, commanded the rich to give freely to the poor.
In the Kitab-i-Aqdas it is further written by Him that those who have a
certain amount of income must give one-fifth of it to God, the Creator of heaven
and earth.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of
Universal Peace* Pages 217
2.5.7
Work & Service – Material and spiritual development
The mission of the prophets, the revelation of the holy books, the manifestation
of the heavenly teachers and the purpose of divine philosophy all center in the
training of the human realities so that they may become clear and pure as
mirrors and reflect the light and love of the Sun of Reality. Therefore I hope
that whether you be in the east or the west you will strive with heart and soul
in order that day by day the world of humanity may become glorified, more
spiritual, more sanctified; and that the splendor of the Sun of Reality may be
revealed fully in human hearts as in a mirror. This is worthy of the world of
mankind. This is the true evolution and progress of humanity. This is the
supreme bestowal. Otherwise, by simple development along material lines man is
not perfected. At most, the physical aspect of man, his natural or material
conditions may become stabilized and improved but he will remain deprived of the
spiritual or divine bestowal. He is then like a body without a spirit, a lamp
without the light, an eye without the power of vision, an ear that hears no
sound, a mind incapable of perceiving, an intellect minus the power of reason.
(Compilations, Baha'i World Faith, p. 262)
2.5.8
Work & Service – The two powers of man
Man has two powers, and his development two aspects. One power is connected with
the material world and by it he is capable of material advancement. The other
power is spiritual and through its development his inner, potential nature is
awakened. These powers are like two wings. Both must be developed, for flight is
impossible with one wing. Praise be to God! material advancement has been
evident in the world but there is need of spiritual advancement in like
proportion. We must strive unceasingly and without rest to accomplish the
development of the spiritual nature in man, and endeavor with tireless energy to
advance humanity toward the nobility of its true and intended station. For the
body of man is accidental; it is of no importance. The time of its
disintegration will inevitably come. But the spirit of man is essential and
therefore eternal. It is a divine bounty. It is the effulgence of the Sun of
Reality and therefore of greater importance than the physical body.
(Compilations, Baha'i World Faith, p. 262)
2.5.9
Work & Service – Service to mankind
The medieval ages of darkness have passed away and this century of radiance has
dawned, -- this century wherein science is penetrating the mysteries of the
universe, the oneness of the world of humanity is being established and service
to mankind is the paramount motive of all existence. Shall we remain steeped in
our fanaticisms and cling to our prejudices? Is it fitting that we should still
be bound and restricted by ancient fables and superstitions of the past; be
handicapped by superannuated beliefs and the ignorances of the dark ages, waging
religions wars, fighting and shedding blood, shunning and anathematizing each
other? Is this becoming? Is it not better for us to be loving and considerate
toward each other? Is it not preferable to enjoy fellowship and unity; join in
anthems of praise to the most high God and extol all His prophets in the spirit
of acceptance and true vision: Then indeed this world will become a paradise and
the promised Day of God will dawn. . . .
The age has dawned when human fellowship will become a reality.
The century has come when all religions will be unified.
The dispensation is at hand when all nations shall enjoy the blessings of
International Peace.
The cycle has arrived when racial prejudice will be abandoned by tribes and
peoples of the world.
(Abdu’l-Baha, Address on Christians, Muslims and Jews)
2.5.10
Work & Service – Arts, sciences and crafts as worship
In the Bahá'í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship. The
man who makes a piece of notepaper to the best of his ability, conscientiously,
concentrating all his forces on perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly,
all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is
worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to
humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the
people. Service is prayer. A physician ministering to the sick, gently,
tenderly, free from prejudice and believing in the solidarity of the human race,
he is giving praise'.
'What is the purpose of our lives?'
'Abdu'l-Bahá. -- 'To acquire virtues. We come from the earth; why were we
transferred from the mineral to the vegetable kingdom -- from the plant to the
animal kingdom? So that we may attain perfection in each of these kingdoms, that
we may possess the best qualities of the mineral, that we may acquire the power
of growing as in the plant, that we may be adorned with the instincts of the
animal and possess the faculties of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste,
until from the animal kingdom we step into the world of humanity and are gifted
with reason, the power of invention, and the forces of the spirit.'
(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 176)
2.5.11
Work & Service – Intellectual and spiritual
All humankind share in common the intellectual and spiritual faculties of a
created endowment. All are equally subject to the various exigencies of human
life, and are similarly employed in acquiring the means of earthly livelihood.
In every respect from the viewpoint of creation all stand upon the same footing
-- all have the same requirements, -- all are seeking the happiness and comfort
of earthly conditions; that is to say, the things they share in common are
numerous and manifest. This very sharing or partnership in matters intellectual
and spiritual is a valid basis for the unification of mankind.
(Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 346)