Noble Use of Money

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Mahavideh Foundation

Page 20

Noble Use of Money
Dadashri: You cannot expect to find a completely virtuous person! Those who make millions of rupees and give a donation of a hundred thousand rupees, do so to preserve their reputation. Token donations only take place in this time cycle. It is very important to understand this. Others who give charity are simple family people with moderate incomes. There is nothing wrong with such people making donations. But those who give such token donations do so to protect their name. They give for their false image.
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Besides, are the donations nowadays, given or are they taken away? And what is more, the money that is donated is money acquired through smuggling.
That Money Binds Punyas
Questioner: Is it not acceptable to give donations of black money?
Dadashri: No, it is not acceptable. But if that black money is used to feed the hungry, then at least someone gets to eat. With such money, there will be certain legal implications, but not in any other circumstances. If that money were used to pay a bill at a restaurant, would it not be accepted?
Questioner: Yes it would.
Dadashri: Yes, that is how everything starts.
Questioner: Can people earn merit karma if they donate black money towards religion nowadays?
Dadashri: Definitely! At least they are giving up that much of their money! Their punya will depend on their intentions behind their donation! It is not just the donation that is taken into consideration. There is no question about their sacrifice of the money, but it is where that money came from and what their intentions are behind giving it, that is taken into consideration and calculated accordingly. Their intention may be that they
Noble Use of Money
might as well give to charity rather than have the government take it from them.
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Give Without Expectations
Questioner: Does it matter if one donates undeclared money or money that is taken under the table?
Dadashri: No, it is a good thing provided it is used towards a charitable or religious cause. There is not a heavy liability in using undeclared money. It is money that people do not show on their books to avoid paying taxes they consider to be excessive.
Questioner: It is not forbidden in the scriptures to make donations with the expectation of something in return. It is not criticized.
Dadashri: It is best if there are no expectations. Donations made with expectations are rendered futile. They are considered worthless. What I am saying is, give only five rupees but give without any expectations.
That Is Camouflaged Money
Questioner: Does black money not cause a problem wherever it goes?
Dadashri: It will not help completely. Black money also comes my way but only about ten to fifteen percent.
Questioner: Does it help towards religion and elsewhere, wherever it is used?
Dadashri: It does not help. It appears to help but it does not take long for its effects to fade. It is like the war quality structures that used to be created but they did not last long. Have you ever seen those? They were mere camouflage. What is the point of delighting in such a camouflage?