"To share one's hard-earned income with the helpless and the sick and to spend it on the poor, the down-trodden and orphans is called charity. Charity is very necessary for the good of the world. Charity is a meritorious action. By charity, fragrance and freshness increase while stinginess leads to stinking. It is like well water which remains cool, fresh and sweet as long as the well is worked. Charity is sharing wealth with the needy and spending it on good works. He who does not spend in charity, wastes his wealth on unfruitful actions" ...Huzur Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji
I am prompted to write this blog after receiving yet another e-mail asking for a donation to a political party. For me the issue is not whether I am going to vote for this person or not, it's an issue of where to best give my money.
I believe that people are convinced by acts, not by words. An old North American Indigenous proverb says "Walk your Talk". At this point in the game I need no more convincing about whether the "America" that I live in needs a change, and which candidate is best suited to attempt to make that change. And I say ATTEMPT. We don't have to wait for a political election, we can each elect to do something today. Today, like everyday, YOU and I have the ability to ATTEMPT to make a change for the better.
Giving in charity is one of those things, if we are able.
The mystics ask what is the use in giving wealth to those who already have it? They say for people to perform charity without due consideration, is like sowing seed in barren land. They have always pointed out the heads of temples, mosques, churches, and other religious institutions that have grown rich. They say that the wealth of those institutions is being wasted, they forgot the Lord because of the riches. They are often entangled in sensual pleasures. They say that we have, owing to our thoughtlessness, made them millionaires. They find it difficult to manage their affairs and are full of valuables and jewels and idlers are enjoying the same. The real needy orphans and holy men and women find it difficult to make two ends meet. They warn that by subscribing to institutions other than the needy, the seeker after spirituality is, in a way sowing seed in barren land.
ASK YOURSELF, WHAT INSTITUTIONS ARE YOU PRESENTLY SUBSCRIBING TO THAT HAVE NO NEED? WHO DO YOU WANT TO PROFIT FROM YOUR HARD EARNED INCOME?
There is a story that says....An old man went on a pilgrimage to Mecca (Haj). In his dream he saw two angels. One asked, "How many persons have come for pilgrimage?" The other replied, "Six lakhs." (one hundred thousand) The first one asked,"How many are accepted?" The other said, "None." He, however, said that there was a cobbler in Damascus who did not come, but his Haj was accepted. On inquiry it was found that he collected the money for Haj but as his neighbors were hungry he spent the money on them. Spiritual masters say that formal worship is of no use. True spirituality consists in earning not only for our own subsistence, but in spending it on others and for spiritual good.
I have always been taught that "Charity begins at home, and spreads abroad." The next time you are at the gas pump and have an extra $5 dollars, look around. Maybe you can see a mother struggling alone with kids, an elder, even a school kid, anybody that you, with your own discretion, determine that you would like to put $5 on the pump for. When you go to church or wherever you go, look around in your congregation, ask around, find out who amongst you needs money to pay a bill of necessity. Get the account number, put 5 on it for them. When you're in line paying your gas electric, or water, what about putting 5 on someone else, who may be in there trying to make a payment plan. You can better see with your eyes and feel with your heart those people who are right in front of you that are in need than leave it up to somebody else's discretion. Bring an extra sandwich to work, invite someone over to share a meal, even if it's rice and beans. It's not even the amount that matters, its the action, the generosity of spirit that can make a person happy from the inside out. Forsake one cup of java from Starbucks to be a star to someone else. A loaf of 100% whole wheat bread can make several sandwiches for a family. When you're in Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target or wherever else, be nosey, look and see if you can buy the diapers for a parent in need, believe me, you will find someone who is willing to accept your kindness. Even though the institution (corporation, store) may make a profit, you are helping someone who "needs" the goods directly. Start your own food drive where you work, live, or go to school. Don't wait for somebody else to ask you, buy something extra, make a sign "Free to whoever needs it." Put it in a place that people can access it without being embarrassed. And if you happen to be the one to need it... Take it, without shame, and be thankful to the Creator for providing for your needs. If you can't give cash, give a smile, a hug, some attention to somebody that needs it, read a book to a child. However you choose to give, give from your heart.
Remember that the Creator is the Source of all that is, all that was, and all that will ever be.
