disappear.

THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE

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