| Those without material wealth. |
| Bahá'u'lláh explains the Bahá'í attitude towards wealth and poverty: '0 Ye that Pride Yourselves on Mortal Riches! Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation. Well is it then with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from the eternal kingdom.'16 'Be not troubled in poverty nor confident in riches, for poverty is followed by riches, and riches are followed by poverty. Yet to be poor in all save God is a wondrous gift, belittle not the value thereof, for in the end it will make thee rich in God .'17 'Cleanse thyself from the defilement of riches and in perfect peace advance into the realm of poverty; that from the well-spring of detachment thou mayest quaff the wine of immortal life.'18 |
| The attitude of the more prosperous person to the poor is described by Bahá'u'lláh: 'Vaunt not thyself over the poor, for I lead him on his way and behold thee in thy evil plight and confound thee for ever-more.'19 '0 Ye Rich Ones on Earth! The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.'20 |
| Further, Bahá'ís are expected to assist the poor: 'Bestow My wealth upon My poor, that in heaven thou mayest draw from stores of unfading splendour and treasures of imperishable glory.'21 'Tell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor, lest heedlessness lead them into the path of destruction, and deprive them of the Tree of Wealth. To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues.'22 'Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity . . . Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy '23 |
| [BD 182-183] |
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| See also: |
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