: True service to others is done without ego and with a heart full of love. Efficiency - Bahá’í Stories
: The spirit behind a gift is far more important than its material worth. : True service to others is done without
: Despite His station, 'Abdu'l-Bahá prioritized the humble offering of a poor workman over a fine meal, showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. The friend explained that as he was leaving,
The friend explained that as he was leaving, a poor Baháʼí laborer had come to him, saying: "I hear you are going into the presence of our Beloved. I have nothing to send Him but this, my dinner. I pray you offer it to Him with my loving devotion" . At that moment, 'Abdu'l-Bahá’s own luncheon had just
At that moment, 'Abdu'l-Bahá’s own luncheon had just been served to Him. However, He immediately pushed His own food aside and spread the poor laborer’s gift out before Him. He ate the dry bread and the shriveled apple with great relish, breaking off pieces to share with His guests. He told them: Why This Story Matters
One afternoon, a friend arrived in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, having traveled from the city of ‘Ishqábád. He presented 'Abdu'l-Bahá with a simple cotton handkerchief tied in a knot. When 'Abdu'l-Bahá untied it, He found inside: A piece of . A single shriveled apple .
This story is a classic example of , a core Baháʼí belief. It teaches that: