October 17th marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a day that prompts us to reflect on a deeply-rooted global challenge. While the world often focuses on material solutions to poverty, the Bahá’í International Community has long promoted for a more holistic approach, reminding us that a coherent relationship between the material and non-material dimensions of life is essential for building a truly just society.
In a statement delivered to the Commission for Social Development in 2012, Bahá’í representatives highlighted a crucial insight that remains relevant today: focusing solely on wealth generation has not led to a widespread increase in the quality of life of the world’s inhabitants. Despite rising levels of wealth in certain parts of the world, inequality remains widespread. This suggests that the pursuit of progress, when measured purely by material accumulation, often undermines the very goal it seeks to achieve.
A common fear today is that limiting extreme wealth would stifle economic growth. However, Bahá’í principles challenge this notion by focusing on the moral nature and purpose of economic activity, and by emphasizing that true prosperity must be just and universal. Indeed, the core principle is the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty. While wealth is not condemned, its obscene accumulation alongside dire poverty is viewed as a fundamental injustice and a block to peace. The goal is to achieve a « golden mean » where individual prosperity is balanced by collective well-being.
This perspective is not about shunning prosperity but rather about fostering a different kind of economic thinking—one that prioritizes not only how much wealth is acquired, but how it is acquired and for what purpose it is being used. This perspective also calls for a fundamental shift in how we view the people of the world. Seeing the people merely as consumers and users reduces human interaction and values to a material transaction. It ignores the rich tapestry of human diversity and experience.
An ethical and spiritual approach to economic activity means that wealth is only justified when it is earned through honest means and is invested constructively for personal needs and for the betterment of humanity. In contrast to purely materialistic economics, Baháʼí principles prioritize spiritual and social development. A universal vision should govern the economy, viewing humanity as a cohesive whole in which the vitality of the entire system is dependent on the health of every single component. This approach advocates for a balance between being and having, where material means serve the progress of the individual and society.
In essence, the Baháʼí response to the growth versus equity dilemma is that the engine of true, sustainable growth is not unlimited greed, but justice and altruism rooted in the principle of the oneness of humankind. An economy that fails to meet the needs of all humanity is not considered healthy or viable in the long run.
In seeking to embody divine qualities, God reminds us: « To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues. » Such attributes can be love, self-sacrifice, and the quest for knowledge. While the material world provides the initial spark for inspiration, it simultaneously imposes resource limitations and hierarchical pressures that suppress the immense creative and entrepreneurial potential that lies dormant within all people. True economic development, therefore, should not only generate wealth but also foster just and peaceful relationships. It should empower every individual to contribute to their own betterment and to that of society as a whole.
Cultivating a spirit of true generosity can also impact economic development. The stronger the ties of collaboration and cooperation within a population, the more resilient, safe, socially cohesive, and healthy that community can be, and the more easily it can respond to its particular needs. Spiritual qualities such as compassion, forbearance, trustworthiness, humility, courage, and willingness to sacrifice for the common good form an invisible yet essential foundation for an advancing community life. We need to each recognize and nurture the spiritual side of ourselves that has enriched the lives of peoples everywhere over many generations and centuries. True civilization does not arise merely from material progress, but rather is defined by and based upon the transcendent values that hold society together.
The Baháʼí community in Mauritius puts the principle of the coherence between material and spiritual development into practice through a set of core community-building efforts, which aim to nurture the capacities of individuals to become protagonists of their own development and that of their communities. Spiritual education, manifested in neighbourhood classes that build the moral capacity and character of children and youth, serves as the true engine of sustainable growth. This foundation underpins service and community cohesion, leading to joint efforts like families offering tutoring or beautifying local spaces, thus making the community self-reliant and supportive. These initiatives also contribute to public discourse, shifting conversations beyond transactional materialism by stressing the immense value of human diversity and unified perspectives; and moreover, social action ensures the moral purpose of economic life is continuously applied. Grassroots initiatives—like youth organizing a clean-up campaign or starting a literacy class—are driven by the desire to serve humanity. A particularly important example of this is the organization of women’s conferences at the local level. These gatherings empower women to become protagonists in their own development and that of their communities, addressing practical challenges, fostering spiritual growth, and building capacities for leadership. In essence, the Mauritian Baháʼí community measures its riches by the quality of its human capital—individuals galvanized by virtue and dedicated to the well-being of the whole.
As we observe this important day, let us take a moment to consider the kind of economic future we want to build in our own communities. By engaging in conversations with our neighbours, friends, and colleagues about these ideas, we can begin to cultivate the thoughts and actions that lead to a more harmonious and prosperous society for everyone—one that recognizes that a life of dignity is about far more than only what is in our wallets.
» Wealth is most commendable, provided the entire population is wealthy. If, however, a few have inordinate riches while the rest are impoverished, and no fruit or benefit accrues from that wealth, then it is only a liability to its possessor. »
The Office of the External Affairs of the Bahá’ís of Mauritius
