On Wednesday, June 13, 1906, while at luncheon, my wife [Florence] asked 'Abdu'l-Baha concerning the interpretation of the following verse of the Gospel: "To him that hath shall be given, and from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he hath.” [Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Mark 4: 25, and Luke 8:18 and 19:26]
In answer 'Abdu'l-Baha said in part:
"This is the exposition of one of the great questions of Divine Wisdom which Christ has couched in this brief and simple utterance. The great question is this: In the world of existence, pause (or discontinuation of progress) marks the beginning of fall and decadence. For instance, as long as the bird soars or moves upward in the air, it is in progress. But no sooner it pauses than it begins to descend. Or, as long as a merchant lives on the interest or income produced by his capital his business is successful and in progress. But no sooner he begins to consume his capital then the beginning of his decadence is reached and he inclines toward bankruptcy. Hence it is customary amongst men of trade and business to say of one who draws on his capital for self-sustenance, 'It is all over with him.' Now by the word of Christ, ‘To him that hath shall be given,' is meant briefly: To him that hath the capital of Truth and Faith shall be given an increase of such when he employs this capital by living up to the requirements of Faith, and by communicating them to others in word and deed. Thus he who is endowed with any degree of capacity and ability must constantly exert himself in order to increase them, or he will see the beginning of failure and decadence. For this pause is like unto consuming ones capital, or allowing his capacity to decrease and thus fulfilling in himself the verdict, 'And from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he hath.'"
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (from a talk in Holy Land, 1906, recorded by ‘Ali-Kuli Khan in 'Pilgrim Notes')
