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Between 1980 and 1989, the number of people reporting incomes of more than a half-million dollars rocketed from 16,881 to 183,240-- an increase of 985 percent.4 (1:13) According to Nightline (October 27, 1995), since 1973, the yearly income of the poorest people in America has dropped by $1,300, while the yearly income of the richest has climbed by $66,000. The shift in wealth, the report stated, began in 1973 (1:14) One way Baha'is try to improve the socio-economic state of the world is through the United Nations: (1:15) The Baha'i International Community has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and with the United Nations Children's Fund. It is also affiliated with the United Nations Environment Program and the UN Office of Public Information. It has representatives with the United Nations in New York, Geneva, and Nairobi. Local Baha'i communities are encouraged to support the UN's various humanitarian projects. The Baha'i International Community participates in meetings of UN agencies concerned with human rights, social development, the status of women, the environment, human settlement, food, science and technology, population, the law of the sea, crime prevention, substance abuse, youth, children, the family, disarmament, and the United Nations University.5 (1:16) Sometimes, poverty persists because of a lack of motivation to work and earn a living. In God's sight, idleness diminishes our worth: (1:17) O MY SERVANT! The basest of men are they that yield no fruit on earth. Such men are verily counted as among the dead, nay better are the dead in the sight of God than those idle and worthless souls.6 Baha'u'llah (1:18) Baha'i Writings elevate work done in a spirit of service to the rank of worship. The true purpose of working is not to make money but to serve others. 'A wealthy man in Mexico was in the habit of buying two tangerines daily from a woman who operated a fruit stand near his house. One morning he told her he wanted to buy her entire stock of tangerines. Much to his surprise the lady refused to sell him more than a few. 'But why?' the buyer asked. 'If I sold you all of my tangerines,' she answered with dignity, 'what would I do the rest of the day?'' (1:19) References: |