To What End?

"But not everything is beneficial." Paul (I Corinthians, 10:23)

There have always existed indefinable individuals who though they have not hurt any one, equally, have not benefited anyone.

Examined under the same prism, the activities on the path require a sincere interpretation so that they are not lost in uselessness.

It is perfectly correct for a human being to dedicate himself to literature or to honest business practices of the world, and no one will be able to contest the laudable character of these who conscientiously choose their personal line of useful service. Meanwhile, it will be justifiable to know the ultimate purpose of the writer or the purpose of the negotiator. Of what good will it be to the first, to produce great works replete with verbal refinement and theoretic outbursts, if his words are empty of constructive enlightening thought on behalf of the eternal plan of the soul? In what way will the merchant take advantage of his immense fortune achieved through hard work and calculation, if it remains stagnant in safes awaiting the folly of the descendents? In both cases, it cannot be said that each of those individuals were involved in an illicit activity; however, they wasted precious time forgetting the fact that minor accomplishments yield an edificating finality.

The laborer who is conscious of his required responsibilities does not deviate from the straight path.

There is much affliction and bitterness in the factories of terrestrial improvement because its laborers are primarily concerned with material gain, overlooking the purposes of such improvement. Meanwhile, projects and experiments are intensified, but the just and necessary edification is always missing.

XAVIER, Francisco Cândido. Our Daily Bread. By the Spirit Emmanuel. Spititist Alliance for Books, 2003. Chapter 28.