To Be selfless
A way to be selfless is for the disciple may give for the good of the Master’s cause, but at the same time, he should see how much he could really give. If he does not care for the welfare of his own children, then that is not fair, So we have a rule here. Those who give more than a certain amount, they come to me. This is a very strict condition given to Salip Singh. He may accept ten, twenty, or thirty rupees, but those who want to give more than that must come to see to me. Sometimes I accept, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I return full, sometimes I return half. So a man should share with others, but in degrees. Let him start with the least, maybe 1/40th, or 1/20th. 1/10th has been the average. Those who cannot afford to give 1/10th, let them give 1/20th, let them give 1/40th, let them share even a single pie. So those who want to progress on the spiritual way must earn their livelihood by honest means, and then share with others.
Do you know why I don’t accept money from those who are not initiated? Who knows how they earned the money! When a man is initiated, he is cared for by the Master. Those who have not been initiated, their money is not looked after by anybody.
Whatever they give will have to be repaid. You must have compassion, you must share with others. Don’t give anything with the hope of return, for something that you will have in the afterlife. That is not what is wanted. Give it once and for all, share with others. They are your brothers and sisters in God. Do you now understand what is meant by charity? These things are not explained in books. Don’t accept anything for your own personal self. So, the main rule is, earn your own livelihood by honest means, first of all, and then share with others, maybe the least amount that you can. The more you can give, while looking after your family circumstances, so much the better. Then, you will ultimately give everything for the sake of God. We should give without the least hope of return, as a selfless service. We are all brothers and sisters in God.
There was once a saint, Bab Kahan was his name, to whom Baba Sawan Singh used to give Rs. 10 every time he met him at Peshawar. Once Baba Sawan Signh was on field service and earned a good amount, one or two thousand rupees. He met Baba Kahan again at that time. I also met him, since I was in Peshawar at the time.
Baba Kahan said to Baba Sawan Singh, “Well, look here, I want Rs. 20 this time.” The Master said to him, “What, are you becoming greedy?”
“Not the least,” replied Bab Kahan, “I want the extra so that the poison may be taken away from all this money that you have earned. Before you were earning less, and I took Rs. 10 and it was given away to the poor. I want Rs.20 now only for the reason that you have more money. Let it be shared with others.” He did not accept anything for himself. This is what is meant by giving.
If we give something, and we want some return, that is not selfless service. In your diaries, you have got one column for this. It means something, and it is for your own good. Do you follow the purpose for which charity is meant? If you want return, action and reaction will come back. But a mother, whose children are hungry, will take out a morsel from her own mouth and give it to her children. She does not care for any return. So, help others with that angle of vision, with that spirit.
We give sometimes for show. That is for name and fame only. That kind of charity is no charity. Christ said, “If one hand gives something, let not your other hand know about it.” So this is what is meant by charity.
