BahÃĄâ•Žuâ•ŽllÃĄh and the New Era - Knowledge Rush

The Ethics of WealthAccording to the Bahá’í teachings, riches rightly acquired andrightly used are honorable and praiseworthy. Services renderedshould be adequately rewarded. Bahá’u’lláh says in the Tablet ofTarazát:—“The people of Baha must not refuse to discharge thedue reward of anyone, and must respect possessors of talent, ...One must speak with justice and recognize the worth of benefits.”With regard to interest on money, Bahá’u’lláh writes in theTablet of Ishráqát as follows:—Most of the people are found to be in need of this matter;for if no interest be allowed, affairs (business) will be trammeledand obstructed.... A person is rarely found who wouldlend money to anyone upon the principle of “Qar-i-hasan”(literally “good loan,” i.e. money advanced without interestand repaid at the pleasure of the borrower). Consequently, outof favor to the servants, We have appointed “profit on money”to be current, among other business transactions which are inforce among people. That is ... it is allowable, lawful andpure to charge interest on money ... but this matter must beconducted with moderation and justice. The Pen of Gloryhas withheld itself from laying down its limits, as a Wisdomfrom His Presence and as a convenience for His servants. Weexhort the friends of God to act with fairness and justice, andin such a way that the mercy of His beloved ones, and theircompassion, may be manifested toward each other....The execution of these matters has been placed in chargeof the men of the House of Justice, in order that they mayact in accordance with the exigencies of the time and withwisdom.