28
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.
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