What could be better before God than thinking of the poor? For the poor
are beloved by our heavenly Father. When His Holiness Christ came upon the
earth those who believed in him and followed him were the poor and lowly,
showing the poor were near to God. When a rich man believes and follows
the Manifestation of God it is a proof that his wealth is not an obstacle
and does not prevent him from attaining the pathway of salvation. After he
has been tested and tried it will be seen whether his possessions are a
hindrance in his religious life. But the poor are especially beloved of
God. Their lives are full of difficulties, their trials continual, their
hopes are in God alone. Therefore you must assist the poor as much as
possible, even by sacrifice of yourself. No deed of man is greater before
God than helping the poor. Spiritual conditions are not dependent upon the
possession of worldly treasures or the absence of them. When physically
destitute, spiritual thoughts are more likely. Poverty is stimulus toward
God. Each one of you must have great consideration for the poor and render
them assistance. Organize in an effort to help them and prevent increase
of poverty. The greatest means for prevention is that whereby the laws of
the community will be so framed and enacted that it will not be possible
for a few to be millionaires and many destitute. One of Baha'u'llah's
teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under
this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards
wealth and sustenance. For the community needs financier, farmer merchant
and laborer just as an army must be composed of commander, officers and
privates. All cannot be commanders; all cannot be officers or privates.
Each in his station in the social fabric must be competent; each in his
function according to ability; but justness of opportunity for all.
Lycurgus, king of Sparta, who lived long before the day of Christ,
conceived the idea of absolute equality in government. He proclaimed laws
by which all the people of Sparta were classified into certain divisions.
Each division had its separate rights and function. First, farmers and
tillers of the soil. Second, artisans and merchants. Third, leaders or
grandees. Under the laws of Lycurgus the latter were not required to
engage in any labor or vocation but it was incumbent upon them to defend
the country in case of war and invasion. Then he divided Sparta into nine
thousand equal parts or provinces, appointing nine thousand leaders or
grandees to protect them. In this way the farmers of each province were
assured of protection but each farmer was compelled to pay a tax to
support the grandee of that province. The farmers and merchants were not
obliged to defend the country. In lieu of labor the grandees received the
taxes. Lycurgus in order to establish this forever as a law, brought nine
thousand grandees together, told them he was going upon a long journey and
wished this form of government to remain effective until his return. They
swore an oath to protect and preserve his law. He then left his kingdom,
went into voluntary exile and never came back. No man ever made such a
sacrifice to insure equality among his fellowmen. A few years passed and
the whole system of government he had founded collapsed, although
established upon such a just and wise basis.
Difference of capacity in human individuals is fundamental. It is
impossible for all to be alike, all to be equal, all to be wise.
Baha'u'llah has revealed principles and laws which will accomplish the
adjustment of varying human capacities. He has said that whatsoever is
possible of accomplishment in human government will be effected through
these principles. When the laws he has instituted are carried out there
will be no millionaires possible in the community and likewise no
extremely poor. This will be effected and regulated by adjusting the
different degrees of human capacity. The fundamental basis of the
community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. All must be producers. Each
person in the community whose income 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 no 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.