IanPetros

I am shortly to be giving my first fireside on the topic of "work as worship". I have only been Baha'i for a few years and my reading is still very incomplete. I would appreciate any favorite relevant quotations, insights, advice, or just statements as to how/what you think about the topic. Thank you in advance.

LordOfGoblins

I dont have any quotes on hand, you can use ocean or google or Bahai-library.com. But I think it is work done in a spirit of service. That means we must work and offer our work to God. Dont be selfish about our work, do it selflessly and not with our hearts set on only maximising our bank accounts. Good luck in your fireside.

BruceDLimber

Hi, Ian!

Look up "The Glad-tidings" in Tablets of Baha'u'llah: this is where you'll find the "work is worship" statement.

(And the tablet is short enough that you can, if you so choose, arrange to have the whole thing read at your fireside.)

All the best! :-)

Bruce

arthra

You can download Ocean for free and get a lot of references to use in your Fireside!

Ocean - World Religions Free Research Library

Here's a few:

Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship. Where do you find this statement?

"BAHA'O'LLAH'S solution of the social question provides for new laws, but the different social classes are preserved. An artisan remains an artisan; a merchant, a merchant; a banker, a banker; a ruler, a ruler; the different degrees must persist, so that each can render service to the community. Nevertheless, every one has the right to a happy, comfortable life. Work is to be provided for all and there will be no needy ones to be seen in the streets. The vocational labor adjustment provided by BAHA'O'LLAH precludes there being people too poor to have the necessaries of life on the one hand, nor the idle rich on the other.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 83)



WORK IS WORSHIP

In this great dispensation, art (or a profession) is identical with an act of worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore, extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the other in art and guidance. For instance, when the studying of art is with the intention of obeying the command of God this study will certainly be done easily and great progress will soon be made therein; and when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening. Likewise, managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and affinity; and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others to the Truth.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 377)

IanPetros

Thank you very much to everyone who has offered assistance so far.

tonyfish58

"It is made incumbent on every one of you to engage in some occupation, such as arts, trades, and the like. We have made this—your occupation—identical with the worship of God, the True One. Reflect, O people, upon the Mercy of God and upon His favors, then thank Him in mornings and evenings."

(Bahá’u’lláh: Bahá’í World Faith, p. 195)

"With reference to Bahá’u’lláh's command concerning the engagement of the believers in some sort of profession: The Teachings are most emphatic on this matter, particularly the statement in the 'Aqdas' to this effect which makes it quite clear that idle people who lack the desire to work can have no place in the new World Order. As a corollary of this principle, Bahá’u’lláh further states that mendicity should not only be discouraged but entirely wiped out from the face of society. It is the duty of those who are in charge of the organization of society to give every individual the opportunity of acquiring the necessary talent in some kind of profession, and also the means of utilizing such a talent, both for its own sake and for the sake of earning the means of his livelihood. Every individual, no matter how handicapped and limited he may be, is under the obligation of engaging in some work or profession, for work, specially when performed in the spirit of service, is according to Bahá’u’lláh a form of worship. It has not only a utilitarian purpose, but has a value in itself, because it draws us nearer to God, and enables us to better grasp His purpose for us in this world. It is obvious, therefore, that the inheritance of wealth cannot make anyone immune from daily work."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, March 22, 1937)

"In connection with your dear husband, Shoghi Effendi would consider it in full and happy accord with the expressed desire of the Master that every man should have some permanent work. Much as he desires to see you both devote your entire energies to a well-thought out, progressive and attractive presentation of the Cause—a thing he feels we lack lamentably—he would be very pleased to see your husband follow what the Master often repeated even to His own immediate family, namely the necessity of a profession. Of course you know that He always said His had been mat-making."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 20, 1929

"The Guardian fully realizes that from the material standpoint it would be quite easy for you to devote all your time to the service of the Cause, and he deeply appreciates the strong desire you have expressed to consecrate your full life to this noble aim, which should certainly be the chief and constant ambition of every loyal believer.

"But he thinks that in view of Bahá’u’lláh's emphatic command, as recorded in His Book of Laws, that every person should be engaged in some sort of profession, it would be better and more in conformity with the Teachings if you remain in your profession and teach the Cause at the same time. As you rightly suggest, the middle path, that is to say practicing one's profession and also teaching the Cause, is the best way for you to follow."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, June 30, 1936)


"In the Bahá’í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship…. Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer…."

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Paris Talks, pp. 176-177)

"Thou hast asked regarding the means of livelihood. Trust in God and engage in your work and practice economy; the confirmations of God shall descend and you will be enabled to pay off your debts. Be ye occupied always with the mention of Bahá’u’lláh and seek ye no other hope and desire save Him."

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Bahá’í World Faith, p. 375)

"… All humanity must obtain a livelihood by sweat of the brow and bodily exertion; at the same time seeking to lift the burden of others, striving to be the source of comfort to souls and facilitating the means of living. This in itself is devotion to God. Bahá’u’lláh has thereby encouraged action and stimulated service…."

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 187)


Link to more - Lights of Guidance/Work is Worship - Bahaitext, a library of books about the Bahá

Best of luck and have fun with it

Cheers Tony

soniea

Social Research conducted on large samples of people to analyse populations of society. At McCrindle Research, The purpose of this research is to gain knowledge about populations for social or commercial benefit. Social Research conducted research into norms of young people, investigated perspectives on education, and documented the distribution of age, population and wealth around Australia.