And as the progress and extension of spiritual activities is
dependent and conditioned upon material means, it is of absolute necessity that
immediately after the establishment of local as well as national Spiritual
Assemblies, a Bahá'í Fund be established, to be placed under the exclusive
control of the Spiritual Assembly. All donations and contributions should be
offered to the Treasurer of the Assembly, for the express purpose of promoting
the interests of the Cause, throughout that locality or country. It is the
sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá'u'lláh,
who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for
the increase of that Fund. The members of the Spiritual Assembly will at their
own discretion expend it to promote the Teaching Campaign, to help the needy,
to establish educational Bahá'í institutions, to extend in every way possible
their sphere of service.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 12 March 1923 to
the Bahá'ís of the West, published in ‘Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages
1922-1932’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Baha’i Funds and
Contributions)
