30
Noble Use of Money
Shreshthi: Sheth:Shutha
In the past era there used to be very generous
philanthropists. Such donors only come about when their mind,
speech, and body are in unison. God calls them ‘shreshthi’ (the
best). In Madras the word has changed to ‘shetti.’ In Gujarat
this word is ‘sheth’ (wealthy businessman).
I went to visit a wealthy businessman who happened to
be out of town. His secretary said that he would be gone for
a few days and then commented that his boss should be called
a ‘shutha’ (rogue) rather than ‘sheth.’ I told him he should not
say such things since he was on this man’s payroll. Still one
should not use hurtful words. Alas this is what the world has
come to. In the past the sheths were respectable philanthropists,
but this is no longer so.
The Inner Intent Is Paramount
Someone may have no inner intent to give. Yet for the
world he talks a lot about giving and also ends up giving. This
will not bring meaningful results, because he did not have the
inner intent to give.
Questioner: Why is that so Dada?
Dadashri: When a person has the intention to give, even
when he has no means, that person will bind punya and reap
the fruit of this intent in the next life, because his intention to give
is considered as good as giving. His intention is accepted by
God the same as he gave. He has profited by fifty percent
simply with the intent to give.
One man goes to the derasar (Jain temple) and puts only
one rupee in the donation box, whereas another businessman
puts in a few notes of a thousand rupees each. Watching him do
this makes this man wish he too could do the same, even though
he does not have it. This wish is credited as his donation for