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 one is
physically destitute, spiritual thoughts are more likely. Poverty is a
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 with 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 merc