Daily Frameworks for 08 November 2025

Jalál, 06 Qudrat (Power), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Selected Themes Pertaining to Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

Social justice will be attained only when every member of society enjoys a relative degree of material prosperity and gives due regard to the acquisition of spiritual qualities. The solution, then, to prevailing economic difficulties is to be sought as much in the application of spiritual principles as in the implementation of scientific methods and approaches. The family unit offers an ideal setting within which can be shaped those moral attributes that contribute to an appropriate view of material wealth and its utilization.
Referring to the exigencies of the material world, Bahá’u’lláh has affirmed that to every end has been assigned a means for its accomplishment. A natural conclusion to be drawn from reflection on this fundamental principle is that vigilance must be exercised in distinguishing “means” from “ends”; otherwise, what is intended as a mere instrument could easily become the very goal of an individual’s life. The acquisition of wealth is a case in point; it is acceptable and praiseworthy to the extent that it serves as a means for achieving higher ends—for meeting one’s basic necessities, for fostering the progress of one’s family, for promoting the welfare of society, and for contributing to the establishment of a world civilization. But to make the accumulation of wealth the central purpose of one’s life is unworthy of any human being.
An idea closely related to the above, and well in accord with the spirit of the Bahá’í teachings, is that the end does not serve to justify the means. However constructive and noble the goal, however significant to one’s life or to the welfare of one’s family, it must not be attained through improper means. Regrettably, a number of today’s leaders—political, social, and religious—as well as some of the directors of financial markets, executives of multinational corporations, chiefs of commerce and industry, and ordinary people who succumb to social pressure and ignore the call of their conscience, act against this principle; they justify any means in order to achieve their goals.
The legitimacy of wealth depends, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has indicated, on how it is acquired and on how it is expended. In this connection, He has stated that “wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is acquired by an individual’s own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, crafts and industry”, if the measures adopted by the individual in generating wealth serve to “enrich the generality of the people”, and if the wealth thus obtained is expended for “philanthropic purposes” and “the promotion of knowledge”, for the establishment of schools and industry and the advancement of education, and in general for the welfare of society….
Many would readily acknowledge that the acquisition of wealth should be governed by the requirements of justice, which, as a principle, can be expressed to varying degrees, on different levels. An employer and employee, for example, are bound by the laws and conventions that regulate their work, and each is expected to carry out his or her responsibilities with honesty and integrity. At another level, however, if the deeper implications of justice are to be realized, the other two preconditions to the legitimate acquisition of wealth mentioned above must be taken into account, and prevailing norms reassessed in their light. Here, the relationship between minimum wage and the cost of living merits careful evaluation—this, especially in light of the contribution workers make to a company’s success and their entitlement, as noted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to a fair share of the profits. The wide margin, often unjustifiable, between the production costs of certain goods and the price at which they are sold likewise requires attention, as does the question of the generation of wealth through measures that “enrich the generality of the people”. What such reflection and inquiry will no doubt make abundantly clear is that certain approaches to obtaining wealth—so many of which involve the exploitation of others, the monopolization and manipulation of markets, and the production of goods that promote violence and immorality—are unworthy and unacceptable. — Universal House of Justice ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

How does distinguishing “means” from “ends” apply to the acquisition of wealth?

Perplexity Pro Response ³

Distinguishing “means” from “ends” in the acquisition of wealth is central to the Bahá’í teachings on economic and social justice. According to these teachings, wealth is acceptable and even praiseworthy when it is acquired as a means to higher purposes—such as meeting one’s basic needs, supporting one’s family, advancing society, and contributing to the progress of civilization. However, when the accumulation of wealth becomes an end in itself, rather than a tool for greater good, it is considered unworthy and spiritually detrimental. [1]

Wealth as a Means, Not an End

• Wealth serves a noble purpose when it is used to foster the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Its legitimacy is judged by both how it is acquired and how it is spent. [1]
• Bahá’u’lláh affirms that every end has an assigned means for its accomplishment. Vigilance is needed to prevent what should be a mere instrument from becoming the very goal of life. [1]
  

Consequences of Confusing Means and Ends

• If acquiring wealth becomes the ultimate aim, spiritual and ethical principles are sidelined or compromised. [1]
• The teachings warn against the “ends justify the means” mentality; even noble ends must not be achieved by improper or unjust means. [1]
  

Criteria for Legitimate Wealth

• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that wealth is praiseworthy if it is earned honestly, enriches society, and is expended for charitable and educational causes. [1]
• Justice requires that all stages of wealth—acquisition, distribution, and use—be founded on integrity, equity, and the welfare of others.[1]
  

Ethical Implications

• Approaches to gaining wealth that involve exploitation, manipulation, or harm are specifically condemned. [1]
• Workers’ fair share of profits, reasonable wage standards, and the avoidance of unjustifiable price margins are emphasized as expressions of justice in economic relationships. [1]
  

In summary, Bahá’í social thought insists that wealth should be seen only as a means for fulfilling greater, spiritual ends. Confusing the two leads to moral error and social harm, while respecting the distinction elevates both the individual and society. [1]

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

To deepen one’s understanding of the acquisition of wealth from a Bahá’í perspective, asking reflective questions is essential. These questions help explore the spiritual and social dimensions intertwined in generating, using, and sharing wealth. [1]

Foundational Reflection Questions

• What is the purpose of acquiring wealth in life? Does it serve higher ends, such as advancing my family, society, and humanity, or is it merely an end in itself? [1]
• By what means am I acquiring wealth? Are these means ethical, just, and aligned with spiritual principles, or do they compromise integrity for material gain? [1]
• How is my wealth being expended? Is it devoted to philanthropic purposes, education, the welfare of others, and the promotion of social justice? [1]
  

Questions on Justice and Equity

• Do my economic actions help “enrich the generality of the people,” or do they promote exploitation, monopolization, or social harm? [1]
• Am I ensuring fair wages and a fair share of profits for those who contribute to my wealth? [1]
• Does the price I set for goods and services reflect justice in relation to production costs and affordability for others? [1]
  

Questions of Personal and Social Responsibility

• How does the acquisition and use of wealth affect the broader society and the environment? Am I pursuing the welfare of all mankind or focusing solely on my advantage? [1]
• In what ways does my pursuit of wealth foster unity, collective prosperity, and spiritual development within my family and community? [1]
• How can I integrate scientific methods and spiritual principles to contribute to social progress and an ever-advancing civilization? [1]
  

Questions About Means and Ends

• Am I vigilant in distinguishing means from ends, so that wealth remains a tool for serving humanity rather than becoming the central goal of my existence? [1]
• Do I believe the ends justify the means, or do I believe that even noble goals require proper, just means of achievement? [1]
  

By regularly asking these questions, one can ensure the acquisition and use of wealth are aligned with Bahá’í values of justice, integrity, and service to humanity. [1]

Citations

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 – Bahá’í Reference Library

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/976342607. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “2 April 2010 – To the Believers in the Cradle of the Faith.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed November 7, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/r/385879209. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. Spiritual Guidelines for the Acquisition of Wealth.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. November 7, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/social-justice-will-be-attaine-.mw9arc0TXSf4o09wROAXQ#0. ↩