When we look at the grand scheme of creation, we find a great amazing truth – even before we were born, all our necessities have been provided for by God. There are 8,400,000 species of life. All these species coexist together in harmony and balance. The survival of all species has been superbly orchestrated by nature. Bacteria and insects break down organic material and produce soil and nutrients on which plants grow. Plants provide oxygen and food for other animals and a host of other benefits. Bees, insects and other animals help in pollination cycle and keep the reproduction on. The entire cycle is balanced and each and every single living creature is provided food, water, shelter and survival.
Every species of life on earth lives and survives without greed except man. Man is the only species who earns and collects what he does not need and cannot use in his lifetime. Man earns and accumulates wealth. Those who have not been able to earn wealth to levels they yearn for have only one desire in life – to earn more and more. And no man has been satisfied with what he has earned. Till now no man has been successful in carrying with him his wealth or property into his afterlife. We have enough for our needs and yet we are beggars. We yearn for more and more and seek more and more from God. In our frenzy to earn more, we destroy nature, the delicate balance of life, climate and environment and seek to fulfil our greed at the cost of all. Yet there is only one thrust in our mind – O God, give us some more wealth today!
We must realise that every single requirement of our lives has been provided for by God and we can have a very good life and develop our potentials and reach our goals of life including final goal of self realisation without plundering or hurting others. We have enough for our needs and definitely not enough for our greed. The truth is – nature provides for us without asking. The sun shines daily, rain falls, the wind blows, plants grow and animal life flourishes and we are given in abundance without our begging or seeking anything. The one who lives a content life is rich beyond imagination as he is happy with what he gets and has ample time to do work of his choice, self development and walk the path of God. Let us see the munificence of God in providing for all our needs and stop begging Him for mere wealth. Let us love Him and seek to love Him more and more for all that He has blessed us with – His Own Self. We learn these lessons from story of a saint and a merchant – a tale of contentment and greed:
A saint sat in meditation, his face glowing with peace and the light of God. One could make out his absorption in the Divine Light. A merchant who was observing him was touched by his devotion and sincerity. When the saint got up from his meditation, the merchant offered him a bag of gold coins and said: Please accept this money. I know you will use them in service of God.
The saint said: Sir, please wait. I need to ask you something before I accept your money. Are you a wealthy man? Do you have sufficient money at home? The merchant gave a very quick and easy answer: I have enough money at home, at least a thousand pieces of gold coins at home.
Do you want a thousand pieces more? : asked the saint. The merchant answered in affirmative: Who does not want more coins? Even a thousand more coins beyond that? And who does not work for it? I seek to get more and more money daily. And I pray devoutly to God everyday for more and more wealth!
The saint returned the bag of coins to the merchant: I am sorry I cannot take your money. A wealthy man cannot take money from a beggar! I am content with what God has given me and He fulfils all my needs. But you are a beggar as you are always dissatisfied with what you have and always beg God for more wealth!
Do not be a beggar! We cannot carry our wealth with us after death! Only the love and name of God comes with us. Let us earn that wealth and be SitaRam billionaires!
