If you were reading this blog back in November, you might remember that Hinduism has a notion that the work we do to earn a living on a daily basis can be considered a service to God and a form of worship that is just as meaningful as prayer.
Baha’i sees things the same way. In fact, according to the Baha’i faith, human beings are required to work—even if we happen to be lucky enough and rich enough not to have to work to survive.
The Kitáb-I-Aqdas, one of the books of scripture written by Baha’i founder Baha’u’llah, emphasizes the importance of work:
“It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation—such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank and worship of the one true God. . . . Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth, but occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others. . . . The most despised men in the sight of God are they who sit and beg.”
All I can say is that, if work is worship, then I must be really, really devout, because I’ve been working my butt off lately. Funny, though. Editing manuscripts all day long doesn’t feel all that religious.
No comments:
Post a Comment