Gebaldo José de Sousa

Spiritist Social Promotion

"(...) But, Sir, alms for a healthy man, or it kills him of shame, or it
makes him used to it! (…) Thus, free we of alms and at the end
of this dry season we will even pay you interest without
having to spend our courage.” 

(“Voices of the dry season", by Ze Dantas and Luiz Gonzaga.)
 

Folk poetry speaks undeniable truths with naivety.

In the first moment, to help the needy is essential. However, actions that promote them socially must be well thought, because they only restore the dignity of the human being, freeing him from the condition of poverty he is in, as well as for the society in which he lives, and which is indifferent to his suffering.

Following this line, Pestalozzi¹ wisely stated:

"Philanthropy makes man dependent and weak and takes away his self-respect (...). Education is the only effective philanthropy, the first of all human rights".

Caritas², a Spirit, referring to charity, says:

"There are several ways to do Charity, which many of you mistake with alms. However, there is great difference between them. To give alms, dearest ones, is sometimes useful, because it relieves the poor; but it is almost always demeaning for both, for the one who gives, and for the one who receives it. Charity, on the contrary, connects them both and can be disguised in so many ways”!

We read in The Book of Spirits: ³

Q. 674. (...) "Work is a Law of Nature, and therefore is a necessity. Civilization requires man to work harder, because it increases their needs and pleasures".

Q. 676. Why is work imposed to man?

"Because work is a consequence of his corporeal nature, it is an atonement, and, at the same time, a means to improve his intelligence. Without labor, man would remain in his childhood intellectual stage (...)".

From the masterpiece of Emmanuel⁴ (Spirit), we copy some dialogues between Paul and Zadok:
"- (...) I am glad to know that your father is gradually improving his financial conditions. And to say that he was a humble weaver...

- That is why (...) he taught me a profession, when I was a young boy, so that I would never forget that a man’s progress depends of his own work”. 

It is necessary to educate a child for work 

In that same book⁵, Paul talks to his master Gamaliel:

“– What did you learn in your childhood (...)?

– According to the habits of our race, my father had me learn the job of a weaver (…)

- You could have not received a more generous gift from your father (...); your father was farsighted (...) seeking to mold your hands to work (...) Work is the sacred movement of life". 

The Spirits emphasize the need to educate children for work:

"(...) the greatest ambassador of Heaven to Earth was also a child.

He lived in a poor and humble home, as happens to millions of children, but did not spend his childhood carefree (...); he was seen every day working in a modest carpentry. He lived with discipline. He had duties regarding the saw, the hammer and his books (...)

That is why the young man, who is brought up free from any obligation to serve, to help, and to respect, remains in great danger.

The boy with no occupation whatsoever, whether his parents are rich or poor, most of the times becomes a vagabond. And a vagabond is inclined to become a ruffian in all circumstances”. ⁶

"Among all wealth, Charity is what most pleases God. We do not mean, of course, the cold and selfish charity that consists in someone spreading around the left-overs of a golden life. We refer to the full charitable love that looks for those in misery, and helps the person to rise without humiliating her (...), i.e. it gives in a wise manner. Do not reject the one who complains, fearing that he is deceiving you; go to the origins of evil. First, relieve; then inform yourself and see if by giving that person work, good advice and affection is not more effective than giving alms. Spread around you, with material help, the love of God, the love of work, and the love of neighbor”. ⁷  

Some ways to encourage the human creature:

- Allying evangelization and work;
- Adult literacy;
- Planting vegetables;
- Building huts through community work;
- Building Workshop-Schools  (bakeries, cabinetmaking, shoe shops, etc.);
- Crafts: embroidery; crochet; sewing; fabric painting (dishcloths); quilts; tapestry, etc. 

Evangelization and Human Development

Evangelization is the most complete means for the development of the human being:

"It is imperative to recognize that to evangelize souls is the highest expression task in today's Doctrine. Well above the ennobling achievements of social assistance, its preventive action will avoid falling in error, new moral misfortunes, responsible for major trials and suffering ahead, in a scenario of pain and tears that our society suffers, putting an end to the charges for public and private assistance or social service".⁸ 

It is essential to generate funds to build and maintain them.

Summary of the guidelines of the Administration Manual for Spiritist Institutions - 1995 (Pages 161/2), published by USEERJ, and approved by the National Federative Council of the FEB:

Spiritist Institutions must follow means consistent with the Doctrinal principles, maintaining the respect that the spiritual activity has gained in public opinion;

That the obtaining of funds, donations, contributions and subventions preserve the administrative independence and the Spiritist feature of the Institution, of its doctrinaire and welfare activities. It must not depend of public resources, but whenever possible, use them. Sign subventions with private or public Entities, which do not interfere with its autonomy.

That such events (teas and charitable lunches, bazaars and community fairs) to raise funds, also offer the goers an opportunity to work and socialize. These occasions allow divulging and marketing products manufactured or not by the Institution, such as craftwork, clothes, plants, flowers, books and other objects. Never sell cigarettes or alcohol, for obvious reasons. Use lawful means to achieve lawful purposes.

Another suitable way is to draw up lists for donations – eventual or permanent - and distribute them to members and friends of the House. List the names of those responsible for giving account.

Promotion of spiritualized artistic shows has a double benefit, because it also provides the dissemination of the Doctrine. Do not hold these events in the Headquarters of the Spiritist Centers and never where the spiritual treatments take place.

Never raise financial funds during the Spiritual Assistance or Doctrinal Meetings (Public Meetings), "(...) since such procedure may be taken as a payment for the treatment”. Many goers are there for the first time and may not understand its real meaning.

Search for permanent financial self-sufficiency for the Entities, or minimize their dependence on other sources.

Correctly apply the resources, controlling and recording them to give account to the community through monthly statements.

In all activities, observe the legal Municipal, State and Federal requirements.

Act serenely, always remembering that "The treasurer lives in Spirituality!"⁹
In the words of the Spirit Batuira:¹⁰

"(...) in the future, the very charitable homes will maintain themselves at the expense of the effort and collaboration of those, who benefit from them, and those who run them with heart and soul". 

To work is the eternal duty of the Spirit

On the subject, there is the following passage in the book Ave, Christ! : ¹¹

"Corvino, however, stated firmly:

- Yes, we have the right to beg. This, however, is also the right of the beggar. It is not for us, in our opinion, to forget the production of benefits for the world. We have land available, under the responsibility of several brothers. The plow does not lie. The seeds answer faithfully to our effort. We can work. We should not resort to foreign competition, except in special circumstances. It would not be advisable to keep the community unproductive (...)"

It is imperative to plan, to carry out tasks consistent with the group's possibilities (economic, administrative, time availability). Do not act just by enthusiasm. Ideas must mature and become acquainted with other experiences, whether they succeeded or failed. Start modestly and, as experience allows, expand the work.

Develop in the students the awareness of the value of work itself, and motivate the development of intelligence and self-maintenance.

Implant in them the consciousness of work as an instrument of progress, development, and of intellectual development; of exchange; besides being a generator of comfort for all men. It is our duty to reciprocate with what we produce, the benefits we receive from the community as a result of the work of others.

Work generates not just wealth. It promotes man socially; it leads him to conquer dignity; to exercise fraternity and understand the importance of cooperation.

It is a primary duty of the Spiritist Houses to awaken the creatures, especially the young, to those unquestionable truths.

A beautiful duty is to educate children to love and value work, by looking at it as a tool to rid them of material misery. But we can dignify this task even further by evangelizing the child to free it of the moral misery. With this double education, we perform an effective Spiritist Social Promotion.

From the early Christians to the Gospel; from the word of the Higher Spirits to the popular cancionero, we have seen that work is the law of life, not only here but also in the Universes beyond. To work is the duty of the eternal Spirit. Its importance is undeniable for the evolution of Humanity.

It is the duty of those, who develop this nature of work, to divulge it in articles, disseminating the adopted principles, the successful experiences and the ones that failed too, thus orientating and stimulating those who propose to embrace this necessary and crucial mission.

"Work will always be the miracle of life, creating comfort and progress, joy and renewal".¹²

References: 

1. Pestalozzi, cited by Professor Ney Lobo. Spiritist Phylosophy of Education. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1990. Page 145, vol. IV;

2. KARDEC, Allan. The Gospel according to Spiritism. Translation by Evandro Noleto Bezerra. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 2010. Chapter XIII, item 14, Pages 273/4;

3. KARDEC, Allan. The Book of Spirits. Translation by Evandro Noleto Bezerra. 2nd ed. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 2011. Pages 429/30;

4. XAVIER, Francisco C. Paulo e Estêvão. By the Spirit Emmanuel. 23rd  ed. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1987. Page 73;

5. XAVIER, Francisco C. Paulo e Estêvão. By the Spirit Emmanuel. 23rd ed. FEB: Rio, 1987. Page 240;

6. XAVIER, Francisco C. Alvorada Cristã. By the Spirit Neio Lucio. 10th ed. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1991. Pages 196-197: Chapter 49;

7. KARDEC, Allan. The Gospel according to Spiritism. Translation by Guillon Ribeiro. 107th ed. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1993, Page 263, Chapter XVI, it. 11;

8. RIBEIRO, Julio C. G. Ribeiro. By the Spirit Guillon Ribeiro. Reformer October/82, Page 315. (Message received in 1963);

9. HALFELD, Kleber. Daily Patchwork, in Reformer, Nov/88, Page 326;

10. XAVIER, Francisco C. More Light. Spirit Batuira. 5th ed. GEEM: Sao Paulo, 1980. Pages 109-110: Chapter 84;

11. Emmanuel/Francisco C. Xavier. Ave, Christ! 5rh ed. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1975. Page 101:  Chapter V;

12. XAVIER, F. Candido. Courage. By the Spirit Emmanuel. 21st ed. CEC: Uberaba, 1993, Page 63.