The spiritual nature of the Fund

Following his presentation at this year’s National Convention, Counsellor Jeffrey Sabour has kindly provided a slightly modified copy of the paper he delivered, that brings together a number of reflections on the Funds of the Faith and their relationship to the progress of the Nine Year Plan.

The paper begins with a simple but important principle, that the concept of the Fund is a spiritual one. It is grounded in love for Bahá’u’lláh and commitment to His mission and is connected with our twofold moral purpose—to advance spiritually in relation to our Creator and to contribute to the advancement of civilisation. At the same time, the work of the Faith depends upon material means, and as opportunities for growth and community building increase, so too do the resources needed to support them.

Counsellor Sabour considers some of the implications of this for the Faith internationally and here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The paper looks at the growing demands upon the Funds as the work of the Plan advances, and at how resources can be used strategically so that a lack of material means does not restrict opportunities for growth and service.

An important part of the paper also concerns education about the Funds. It explores how greater understanding can develop at the grassroots and how individuals, families, communities and institutions can all learn about the relationship between material resources and the teachings of the Faith. This includes reflecting on generosity and sacrifice, the distinction between needs and wants, and the choices we make about how money is earned, spent, saved and shared.

The family is highlighted as an especially important setting for this learning. Drawing on the Universal House of Justice’s message of 19 March 2025 to the Bahá'ís of the world, the paper considers how consultation about financial matters can help children and adults alike develop qualities such as generosity and responsibility, and learn how material resources can be managed in a way that is increasingly coherent with spiritual principles.

Taken together, these reflections place the Funds within a much wider picture. They are connected not only with meeting the practical needs of the Faith, but with community building, the education of younger generations, the nurturing of family life, the development of human resources, and our relationship with material means in a society strongly influenced by consumerism and materialism.

We are pleased to share Counsellor Sabour’s paper, simply titled The Funds of the Faith - August 2026, in full for the friends who would like to explore these ideas and questions further. It would also make a great resource for further study in local communities or small groups.

And, of course, Ruhi Book 11 is a foundational course on this topic.