Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 149
THE REN AISSANCE OF ISLAM 149 thereafter recover the time that he has lost. I have lived the greater part of my life, and I know through divine revelation, and also estimate myself, that what remains is a small portion. He who helps me during my lifetime and in my presence, in achieving my purpose according to my desire, will, I hope, be with me on the Judgment Day also. He who spends money in carrying out these important projects will, I apprehend, suffer no decline in his wealth. Indeed, his wealth would be blessed. Therefore, trusting in God Almighty, they should act with full sincerity and eagerness and courage, for this is the time of fruitful service. Thereafter a time will come when the spending of a mountain of gold in this cause will not equal in merit the spending of one penny now. This is the blessed time when he who has been sent by God, and whose advent had been awaited through centuries, is present among you, and every day fresh revelation, full of new signs, is vouchsafed by God Almighty. It has been made clear throughout by God Almighty, that he alone will be considered as having truly and conclusively joined this Community who spends his property, which he holds dear, in t~e cause. . . . Do not imagine that you gain your wealth with your own efforts. It is bestowed upon you by God Almighty; nor should you imagine that by spending a portion of your wealth, or by serving in some other way, you put God Almighty, or the one He has sent, under obligation to you. Indeed, He lays you under obligation that He calls you for such service. I tell you truly that if all of you should leave me or should hold back from service and help, He will create another people who will carry out the needed service. Be sure that all this affair is from heaven and your service is for your own good, so let no pride enter your heart, nor have any consciouness that you are helping financially or otherwise. I admonish you repeatedly that God is not in need of your service, it is His bounty that He provides you with the opportunity to serve. . . . I have no greater anxiety than this that I may die leaving my Community in a 'state of imperfection. I know for certain that miserliness and faith cannot co-exist in a heart. . . . I will not remain long among you and the time is coming when you will not see me any more. Many will wish that they had performed some valuable service while I was alive. Now is the time to carry out this wish. As previous prophets and messengers did not dwell forever among their followers, I too will not remain among you; so appreciate the present opportunity.