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Is it possible for one member of a family to be subjected to the utmost misery and to abject poverty and for the rest of the family to be comfortable? It is impossible unless those members of the family be senseless, atrophied, inhospitable, unkind. Then they would say, "Though these members do belong to our family-- let them alone. Let us look after ourselves. Let them die. So long as I am comfortable, I am honored, I am happy-- this my brother-- let him die. If he be in misery let him remain in misery, so long as I am comfortable. If he is hungry let him remain so; I am satisfied. If he is without clothes, so long as I am clothed, let him remain as he is. If he is shelterless, homeless, so long as I have a home, let him remain in the wilderness." (39:1) Such utter indifference in the human family is due to lack of control, to lack of a working law, to lack of kindness in its midst. If kindness had been shown to the members of this family surely all the members thereof would have enjoyed comfort and happiness. (39:2) His Holiness Baha'u'llah has given instructions regarding every one of the questions confronting humanity. He has given teachings and instructions with regard to every one of the problems with which man struggles. Among them are (the teachings) concerning the question of economics that all the members of the body politic may enjoy through the working out of this solution the greatest happiness, welfare and comfort without any harm or injury attacking the general order of things. Thereby no difference or dissension will occur. No sedition or contention will take place. This solution is this: (39:3) First and foremost is the principle that to all the members of the body politic shall be given the greatest achievements of the world of humanity. Each one shall have the utmost welfare and well- being. To solve this problem we must begin with the farmer; there will we lay a foundation for system and order because the peasant class and the agricultural class exceed other classes in the importance of their service. In every village there must be established a general storehouse which will have a number of revenues. (39:4) The first revenue will be that of the tenth or tithes. (39:5) The second revenue (will be derived) from the animals. (39:6) The third revenue, from the minerals, that is to say, every mine prospected or discovered, a third thereof will go to this vast storehouse. (39:7) The fourth is this: whosoever dies without leaving any heirs all his heritage will go to the general storehouse. (39:8) Fifth, if any treasures shall be found on the land they should be devoted to this storehouse.
(39:9)
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