You must earn wealth by adhering to Dharma (Right action). Utilise the wealth for right ends. Our ancients laid down four avenues for the utilisation of wealth or earnings. One fourth should be used for personal use and for supporting the family. Another fourth should be used for charitable and religious purposes. A third quarter should be spent on other living things like animals, birds, etc. The remaining fourth should be offered for supporting the State. It is only when one’s wealth is utilised in this manner will it be really beneficial and meaningful.
Today many persons give money for charitable purposes. But the reason for their action is to reduce the burden of taxes in one way or another. You all know how large temples are being built at Benares, Prayaag, Delhi, and other places. There are Birla Mandirs (places of worship) at many pilgrim centres. They are quite impressive and attractive. They are built in marble and are additions to the nation’s architectural achievements. Crores are spent on them. It is, no doubt, good to build temples. But the real temple is one’s own body. Without purifying one’s self, what use is there in building temples? Temples built at the cost of crores of rupees are not properly maintained. Swarms of beggars ruin the surroundings of the temples.
How much better would it be if the crores of rupees spent on erecting temples are used for improving the condition of the poor, the destitute and the helpless? Institutions for helping the indigent unfortunates are more useful than edifices for worshipping some deities. To give a helping hand to the helpless is real service. Love towards one’s fellow beings is the best spiritual discipline. Misuse of money is a great evil. Wealth must be used only for good purposes. Money is capable of leading man to any place, good or bad. Hence he should take care to see that wealth does not lead him to bad ways, or bring a bad name to this great country.
By limiting their desires and reducing the amenities required for comfortable living, the wealthy should devote themselves to the service of the poor and the forlorn. Seek to derive happiness from service to your fellowmen. Happiness is union with God. The Sathya Sai Organisations should not be content with conducting Bhajans (group singing of devotional songs). Their motto should be Seva (selfless service) all the time. They should take up every form of activity and give it a spiritual meaning. It is only those who are imbued with the spirit of selfless service that are fit to become leaders of the nation.
Service to society is everyone’s primary duty. Businessmen should develop a moral approach, use right means for earning wealth and utilise it for the benefit of society.
I may have caused some uneasiness to all of you. But without minding it, you should all take to heart what I have said and try to practise what I have said. Thereby you will be achieving real happiness. I bless you all. (SSS Vol.17, pp. 71-73)