Spiritual values that are essential to visualize a “Divine Economy”, a deepening (final part)
The idea of equality has been included in some economic theories, but as we can see in our world today, they have failed to achieve it. The Bahá’í Faith not only stresses the importance of equal opportunities but encourages mankind to go one step further:
“… the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh advocate voluntary sharing, and this is a greater thing than the equalization of wealth. For equalization must be imposed from without, while sharing is a matter of free choice.
Man reacheth perfection through good deeds, voluntarily performed, not through good deeds the doing of which was forced upon him. And sharing is a personally chosen righteous act: that is, the rich should extend assistance to the poor, they should expend their substance for the poor, but of their own free will, and not because the poor have gained this end by force. For the harvest of force is turmoil and the ruin of the social order. On the other hand voluntary sharing, the freely-chosen expending of one’s substance, leadeth to society’s comfort and peace. It lighteth up the world; it bestoweth honour upon humankind.” -‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 115.
Questions:
- Why is voluntary sharing greater than equality?
- How will voluntary sharing change human affairs?
- Does the present economic system encourage voluntary sharing?
No vision of a divine economy is complete without a foundation of justice.
“We ask God to endow human souls with justice so that they may be fair, and may strive to provide for the comfort of all, that each member of humanity may pass his life in the utmost comfort and welfare. Then this material world will become the very paradise of the Kingdom, this elemental earth will be in a heavenly state and all the servants of God will live in the utmost joy, happiness and gladness.” -‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Foundations of World Unity, p. 43; and Star of the West, p. 230.
“Among the results of the manifestation of spiritual forces will be that the human world will adapt itself to a new social form, the justice of God will become manifest
throughout human affairs, and human equality will be universally established. …
The essence of the matter is that divine justice will become manifest in human conditions and affairs, and all mankind will find comfort and enjoyment in life.” -‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 132.
Questions:
- What are the effects of justice on human souls?
- How can justice provide comfort for all?