Work

During ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's last days at Green Acre He met many people, including one girl who said, "I have come to ask for your assistance. Please tell me what I am fitted to do so that I may occupy myself with it." The Master asked, "Do you have trust in Me? She replied, "Yes". He then said to her, "Be a perfect Bahá’í. Associate with Bahá’ís. Study the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Then you will be assisted in whatever you undertake to do." She then said, "I am a good Jewess." The Master then said: "A good Jew can also become a Bahá’í. The truth of the religion of Moses and Bahá’u’lláh is one. Turn toward Bahá’u’lláh and you will acquire peace and tranquility, you will hear the melody of the kingdom, you will stir people souls and you will attain the highest degree of perfection. Be assured of this." When she heard the Master's words she was so impressed that she threw herself at his feet and wept.

A workman who had left his bag of tools in the hall was welcomed with smiling kindness by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. With a look of sadness the man said: "I don't know much about religious things, as I have no time for anything but my work." "That is well. Very well. A day's work done in the spirit of service is in itself an act of worship. Such work is a prayer unto God." The man's face cleared from its shadow of doubt and hesitation, and he went out from the Master's presence happy and strengthened, as though a weighty burden had been taken away.

One day ‘a man passing by the gates of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s house in Haifa, carrying a basket, put it down as soon as he saw Him, saying that he could not find a porter and had to carry the basket himself. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá remarked afterwards that a man should not feel ashamed of doing useful work.’