Balancing the Cause and a profession
From Bahai9
Reconciling need to be detached with learning a trade
"Another friend asked, "In the Tablets it is stated that we must be severed and detached. In another place it is stated that we must learn a trade or profession. Do not these two statements contradict each other?" 'Abdu'l-Baha replied, "In the Cause of Baha'u'llah, it is incumbent upon every soul to acquire a trade and an occupation. For example, I know how to weave or make a mat, and you know some other trade. This, in itself is an act of worship, provided that it is conducted on the basis of utmost honesty and faithfulness.
"And this is the cause of prosperity. Yet, in spite of being so occupied, if the heart is not chained and tied to this world, and is not troubled by current events, neither hindered by wealth from rendering service to mankind, nor grieved because of poverty, - then this is human perfection. Otherwise in a state of poverty, to manifest generosity and in a state of weakness to claim justice - this can easily be (said, but it is not a proof of man's attainments and alertness."
- (From an article written by Dr. Z. Baghdadi entitled "'Abdu'l-Baha in America", published in "Star of the West", Vol. 19, No. 7, p. 219; Compilation on Arts and Crafts, sec. II, no. 6)
Divide one's time (in general)
"The advice that Shoghi Effendi gave you regarding the division of your time between serving the Cause and attending to your other duties was also given to many other friends both by Baha'u'llah and the Master. It is a compromise between the two verses of the 'Aqdas': one making it incumbent upon every Baha'i to serve the promotion of the Faith and the other that every soul should be occupied in some form of occupation that will benefit society. In one of His Tablets Baha'u'llah says that the highest form of detachment in this day is to be occupied with some profession and be self-supporting. A good Baha'i, therefore, is the one who so arranges his life as to devote time both to his material needs and also to the service of the Cause."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 26, 1933, Lights of Guidance, no. 2109)
Divide one's day in half
"...Share your time with God. Spend half of the day in search of livelihood, guaranteeing your material life and dignified appearance, and dedicate the other half in the acquisition of moral virtues and service at the threshold of God..."
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, quoted on back cover of "Economics of the Future" (see here for a discussion of this verse))
