Jalál, 11 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Selected Themes Pertaining to Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
The question of economics must commence with the farmer and then be extended to the other classes inasmuch as the number of farmers is far greater than all other classes. Therefore, it is fitting to begin with the farmer in matters related to economics for the farmer is the first active agent in human society. In brief, from among the wise men in every village a board should be set up and the affairs of that village should be under the control of that board. Likewise a general storehouse should be founded with the appointment of a secretary. At the time of the harvest, under the direction of that board, a certain percentage of the entire harvest should be appropriated for the storehouse.
The storehouse has seven revenues: Tithes, taxes on animals, property without an heir, all lost objects found whose owners cannot be traced, one third of all treasure-trove, one third of the produce of all mines, and voluntary contributions.
This storehouse also has seven expenditures:
1. General running expenses of the storehouse, such as the salary of the secretary and the administration of public health.
2. Tithes to the government.
3. Taxes on animals to the government.
4. Costs of running an orphanage.
5. Costs of running a home for the incapacitated.
6. Costs of running a school.
7. Payment of subsidies to provide needed support of the poor.
The first revenue is the tithe. It should be collected as follows: If, for instance, the income of a person is five hundred dollars and his necessary expenses are the same, no tithes will be collected from him. If another’s expenses are five hundred dollars while his income is one thousand dollars, one tenth will be taken from him, for he hath more than his needs; if he giveth one tenth of the surplus, his livelihood will not be adversely affected. If another’s expenses are one thousand dollars, and his income is five thousand dollars, as he hath four thousand dollars surplus he will be required to give one and a half tenths. If another person hath necessary expenses of one thousand dollars, but his income is ten thousand dollars, from him two tenths will be required for his surplus represents a large sum. But if the necessary expenses of another person are four or five thousand dollars, and his income one hundred thousand, one fourth will be required from him. On the other hand, should a person’s income be two hundred, but his needs absolutely essential for his livelihood be five hundred dollars, and provided he hath not been remiss in his work or his farm hath not been blessed with a harvest, such a one must receive help from the general storehouse so that he may not remain in need and may live in comfort.
A certain amount must be put aside from the general storehouse for the orphans of the village and a certain sum for the incapacitated. A certain amount must be provided from this storehouse for those who are needy and incapable of earning a livelihood, and a certain amount for the village’s system of education. And, a certain amount must be set aside for the administration of public health. If anything is left in the storehouse, that must be transferred to the general treasury of the nation for national expenditures. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1 2
Question for Consideration
What is the purpose of the general storehouse and how does the community it serves administer the revenue of the tithe?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
The general storehouse, described in the writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, serves as a village-level economic institution designed to ensure the well-being, equity, and stability of the entire community. It is both a mechanism for local economic regulation and a system of social welfare that links material provision with moral responsibility. [1]
Purpose of the General Storehouse
The general storehouse exists to balance wealth, aid the disadvantaged, and promote collective prosperity. Established and supervised by a council of wise villagers, it functions as a repository for community resources. Its revenue sources—tithes, taxes on animals, unclaimed property, discovered treasures, mine yields, and voluntary contributions—reflect a system that integrates justice with social cooperation. The storehouse ensures that no person in the village remains in need, addressing orphans, the incapacitated, the poor, education, and public health. If resources remain after these provisions, they are transferred to the national treasury for wider public use. [1]
Administration of the Tithe
The collection of tithes is conducted under the supervision of the village board, reflecting a graduated system of contribution based on surplus wealth. No tithe is taken from those whose income only meets their basic needs, but those with greater surpluses contribute proportionately more:
- Those slightly above subsistence contribute one‑tenth of their surplus.
- Those with increasing wealth provide between fifteen and twenty‑five percent, depending on their excess income.
- Conversely, those whose production or income falls below their needs receive assistance from the storehouse, ensuring economic reciprocity and social balance. [1]
In summary, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s model of the general storehouse envisions a just and compassionate economic system that harmonizes community cooperation, equitable wealth distribution, and comprehensive social support—an early expression of the Bahá’í ideal of uniting spiritual and material advancement. [1]
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
To deepen understanding of the general storehouse and its economic implications, further exploration could be guided by reflective, analytical, and practical questions in several key areas of inquiry drawn from the Bahá’í teachings on economics, social justice, and community building. [1]
Questions on Purpose and Function
- What deeper spiritual principles underlie the creation of the storehouse as a local economic institution? [1]
- How does the storehouse model illustrate the unity of the material and spiritual dimensions of society? [1]
- In what ways does this system prevent both poverty and extreme wealth while maintaining individual initiative? [1]
Questions on Justice and Governance
- How does the principle of justice guide the collection and use of resources within the storehouse system? [1]
- What role do consultation and collective decision-making play in administering the storehouse? [1]
- How can the model of the village board and secretary inform the functioning of modern local institutions? [1]
Questions on the Tithe and Redistribution
- What is the ethical significance of proportionate contribution according to surplus rather than fixed taxation? [1]
- How does this tithe system foster voluntary sharing and compassion rather than coercion? [1]
- In what ways can principles of the general storehouse be applied to modern social welfare or public finance systems? [1]
Questions on Broader Economic Philosophy
- How does the call to begin economics “with the farmer” redefine the foundations of productive labor in society? [1]
- What relationship exists between agricultural production, community sustainability, and moral development? [1]
- How does this concept align with the Bahá’í teachings that economic reform must be rooted in moral and spiritual change rather than material coercion? [1]
Questions for Application and Reflection
- How might contemporary communities experiment with localized forms of collective economic stewardship inspired by these teachings? [1]
- What modern equivalents to the storehouse could promote mutual support and economic justice in urban settings? [1]
- How might adopting such principles transform relationships between wealth, work, and service in society today? [1]
Each of these questions invites a more profound engagement with Abdu’l-Bahá’s vision—one that links economic activity with justice, compassion, and the advancement of civilization. [1]
Citations
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/576249054. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/r/726462961. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “The General Storehouse and Tithing.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. October 24, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-question-of-economics-must-oIXcpCrYQ..1IAswv1A2jg#0. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 