• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s subject is on authority. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
The Baha’i of Kaua‘i
The poor are beloved by God. Their physical lives are difficult and their hope rests with God. On the other hand, when a wealthy person believes and obeys the laws of God, it is proof that he has not allowed his riches to be an obstacle to his spiritual development. It is highly meritorious if, without fear of depletion, some of this wealth is used to assist the poor. Two quotes from the Baha’i writings sum this up: “No deed of man is greater before God than helping the poor” and “We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source.”
Though sharing of one’s wealth with the poor is highly praiseworthy, it is not intended that we all be equally wealthy. Because individuals differ in capacity and situations it is natural that there would be different degrees of wealth and poverty, but it is important that there be a limit to extremes of wealth and poverty. If large numbers of people are in such conditions of poverty that result in hunger or other life threatening situations, it is a sure sign that somewhere we shall find tyranny. These conditions must be corrected.
Topic for two weeks
from today:
•Will you speak to us on
the abundance?
•Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
•Deadline each week is Tuesday, by 5 p.m.