Inside my head
I’m struggling with a conundrum: does “service” necessarily imply “without compensation?” Must all service rendered to the Baha’i Faith be for free, or can one serve the Faith and earn a living from that service? I believe there exists in our community a perception that service to the Faith should be offered up voluntarily, without compensation. I admit to feeling that way myself. But then I had the idea for this venture, and suddenly I was no longer sure that the matter was so black and white. Here is why: there are some things which are simply too big for one person (or even a group of people) to undertake solely on a volunteer basis. Which means that if the job that needs to be done costs too much in the way of time, money or effort, it simply won’t get done. I’ve spoken with several people who think that what I propose to do is very important to the Baha’i community. Many before me have felt the same way. They tried but failed. (I’ve spoken to five people myself.) I’m guessing that the reason they failed is because they wanted to do it “as a service to the community,” aka “for free.” But those people had jobs and lives which didn’t leave them with enough time/money/energy to see the project through to the end.
I’m very fortunate because at the moment, I have all these resources and a supportive (non-Baha’i) husband who is willing to let me give it a go. However, if things don’t work out, I will eventually have to go find a paying job, which will doom my efforts as well.
I really want to see this venture succeed. Not for my sake, but for the sake of all the people who could potentially hear the name of Baha’u'llah through it. But that can only happen if Verdanta can pay for itself, with a little left over to contribute to the support of my family. Knowing all this, I am at peace running this business as a for-profit business.
Enter: “others”
I recently received an email from a colleague whose comment I thought meant he felt service to the Faith should be offered up for free. (I apologize if I’m misrepresenting his feelings on this; I may be projecting my own confliction onto him). The issue is, should this perception prove prevalent, it could cripple Verdanta before it even gets off the ground.
Baha’u'llah tells us to strive to ”render service to the world of humanity.” He also tells us that earning a livelihood “is a duty which, in this most great Revelation, hath been prescribed unto every one, and is accounted in the sight of God as a goodly deed.”
Abdu’l-Baha told us to “Trust in God and engage in your work and practice economy; the confirmations of God shall descend and you will be enabled to pay off your debts. Be ye occupied always with the mention of Bahá’u'lláh and seek ye no other hope and desire save Him.” (Baha’i World Faith, p. 375)
So earning a living is a goodly deed, and the mission of my proposed occupation is to “be always occupied with the mention of Baha’u'llah.” Often we think of these things as separate and distinct, but why? What would Baha’u'llah say about a job that earns money AND serves the Faith? I’d like to think He would be happy about it.
The other aspect of service is wanting to serve as many people as possible. If I do this on a volunteer basis, I will be limited in the number people I will ultimately serve. Why? Because I will have to go out and find a paying job, thereby leaving me much less time (and even less energy) to tackle something as ambitious as what I am proposing.
Service: free or fee?
The culture I live in – America – loves to think of everything in terms of either/or. But the heart and soul of the Baha’i Faith is based on “both/and.” Is science right or religion? They both are. Jesus or Muhammad? Both. So can I serve the Baha’i community and earn a living? I believe I can, but ultimately, it is up to Baha’u'llah. I lay all my affairs in His capable hands, and I pray that He only let me succeed if He deems this venture good and worthy.
amzolt said,
August 30, 2008 at 6:24 am
I haven’t explored your blog yet (first visit is this post) so I don’t know the nature of your enterprise.
No matter.
If the Covenant is true, if the Administrative Order is proper, if our elected representatives are enabled to receive money to help them serve the Cause (which I understand is the prerogative of an Assembly to dispense), then you should set you heart at rest…
~ Alex from Our Evolution
leleff said,
August 30, 2008 at 6:33 am
Thank you, Alex. I greatly appreciate your comment!
Darrell said,
August 30, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Like Alex, this is my first visit to your blog and I don’t know the nature of Verdanta’s business. BUT Rest assured, YOU have the holistic understanding, not those who proclaim you should serve them for free.
I enrolled in the Baha’i Faith 35 years ago this week. And as our friend David House once said “in that time I’ve been a Baha’i about 20 minutes”. And like him, I’m hoping to get a whole hour in before I must answer to Baha’u'llah! In those years I have seen again and again that the greatest tests we face in the Baha’i Faith are from within the Baha’i Faith. The good news is, while you’re being tested, you get to be a test for someone else. (divine poetic justice) I have found that when folks don’t have to pay for what they receive, they unfortunately often consider it worthless, when in fact it might be priceless. As a musician, I learned years ago that Baha’i conferences are often a bad audience for that very reason.
Now regarding service for a fee, may I direct your attention to “Special Ideas” the wonderful mail-order catalogue operated by Justice St. Rain. In the beginning (perhaps still), Justice suffered the same kind of assults that you now feel. But he stuck to business and consequently he now performs a fabulous full-time service to the Cause of God. Next, I can think of Susan Alexander and Craig Farnsworth who run the Marriage Transformation workshops and sell books about marriage. It’s a great service but it would never have survived without revenue. Next in line, radioNUR, the internet radio station that plays non-stop Baha’i oriented music by Baha’i artisits. When Michael Eissinger start the station, the Universal House of Justice recommended that it be self-sustaining. So, Michael SELLS sponsorship advertising to Baha’i communities and events. Next in mind is the Wilmette Institute that charges tuition for academic courses on the Baha’i Faith. Not my cup-of-tea, but apparently valuable to folks who need a disciplined approach to study of the teachings and history of our Faith. Then, there’s our permanent Baha’i Schools: Bosch, Louellen, Green Acre, Louis Gregory Institute and NABI. Though run by our own National Spiritual Assembly, attendance is not free. That service costs money. Let me end with a reminder that the Baha’i Distribution SERVICE does not give away books.
There, feel better now?
///Darrell Rodgers
Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist
http://darrellsongs.com
leleff said,
August 31, 2008 at 4:25 am
I must admit, I’m feeling MUCH better. I’ve been ruminating on this topic for months, and feeling very conflicted about it. I wrote the post because writing helps me think things through. I didn’t really expect to get a reply. However, having received two supportive comments within 24 hours of posting is divine affirmation if I’ve ever seen it. Thank you, Darrell and Alex, for taking the time to offer me your wisdom!
Bahá’í Audiobook Publisher Says Beware! of Distractions « Verdanta said,
October 9, 2008 at 5:36 am
[...] That based on some of the well crafted, highly considered comments I’ve already received on my blog, my readers don’t scan, they [...]
Prema said,
April 11, 2009 at 3:39 am
I think if one is occupied in service and motivated by the paycheck rather than for the wellbeing of those served and for Baha’u'llah (in a spirit of sacrifice) than it is no longer service.
I would consider Abdu’l-Baha’s example where he earned his livelihood as a mat weaver, which was useful in itself but also brought some money to the household. And in other times he was engaged in direct service for the Cause which brought him no remuneration in this world. As our perfect Examplar, I think it sets forth a very clear and distinct difference in one’s profession, which is pursued in a spirit of excellence and received as worship by God, and one’s service, which is the sacrifice of time and personal resources.
By the way, you may enjoy and derive inspiration from this song, Service, http://david-hunt-music.com/music/earth-and-eagle-13-service.html
Leanne said,
April 11, 2009 at 6:50 am
Thank you Prema. You share some interesting points. I love stories of Abdu’l-Baha, and often use them to guide my life. But I had not heard that Abdu’l-Baha’ had worked as a mat weaver. Where did you learn that?
Thank you for the link – it’s a very beautiful song. Do you know David personally? Or are you just a fan?