Sacrificing money to God

[dattaswami]

Sacrificing money to God

Offering money to Lord Datta as ‘Guru Dakshina’ is really appreciable because it is the practical sacrifice, which is the real test for love. You really love your wife and children and so you are giving your money to them. If you really love the Lord, you will give the money to Him. Money is called ‘Karma phala’ in the Gita i.e., the fruit of your work. Sacrifice of that money is called ‘Karma Phala Tyaga’, which is stressed throughout the Gita.

But offering money to the Lord as a bribe for getting some work is the worst aspect. ‘Ishavasyam Upanishad’ says in the very first hymn, “All this money belongs to the Lord. Take the minimum required. If you have taken extra, return it to the Lord”. The Veda further says, “Return it to the Lord with shyness and fear because you have stolen it, which was extra and not permitted by the Lord”. So, you have to offer ‘Guru Dakshina’ (money offered to the Lord) without aspiring any result from it. The stolen extra money will bring you all problems.