Material favors sometimes deprive us of spiritual favors
and material rest of spiritual rest. A rich man said to Christ, "I would
fain be thy disciple."
"Go and put into practice the ten commandments," replied the Christ.
"But I know them by heart and have always practiced them." "Then sell
what thou
hast and take up thy cross and follow me." The man returned to his home.
But the rich who are attracted through their hearts have the spark and
are
like unto brilliant torches. BAHA'ULLAH has spoken of the importance of
their station. Certain rich ones have sacrificed their possessions and
even
their lives for this cause. Riches did not prove an obstacle for them
and they are like unto stars in the heaven of both worlds - flames of
reality.
Detachment does not consist in setting fire to one's house, or becoming bankrupt or throwing one's fortune out of the window, or even giving away all of one's possessions. Detachment consists in refraining from letting our possessions possess us. A prosperous merchant who is not absorbed in his business knows severance. A banker whose occupation does not prevent him from serving humanity is severed. A poor man can be attached to a small thing.
'Abdu'l-Baha,
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