Regarding your question concerning helping the poor: The
Bahá'ís should not go so far as to refrain from extending charity to the needy,
if they are able and willing to do so. However, in this, as in many other
things, they should exert moderation. The greatest gift that we can give to the
poor and the down-trodden is to aid to build up the divine institutions
inaugurated in this day by Bahá'u'lláh as these institutions, and this World
Order when established, will eliminate the causes of poverty and the injustices
which afflict the poor. We should, therefore, do both, support our Bahá'í Fund,
and also be kind and generous to the needy.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 11 March 1942,
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; Compilation on
‘Social and Educational Development’, prepared by the Research Department of
the Universal House of Justice; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 3)
