Giving in charity and serving guests, make grihastha ashram most auspicious. A grihastha makes spiritual advancement by giving in charity to the other three ashram as, which are meant exclusively for making spiritual progress. They are not supposed to be burdened with the problems of earning a livelihood for food, clothing and shelter. This is the inherent strength and also the beauty of grihastha ashram. It is a benediction.
In the Bhagavad–gita, the Lord says that charity should be given in the right consciousness (mode of goodness ) to the right person at the right time and place. The householders should give donations on a regular basis to the temple, even very little, if that is all they have. They should cultivate this habit right from the beginning of their life in Krishna Consciousness . Some devotees think that they will wait until they make a lot of money. Giving in charity regularly from whatever material wealth the Lord provides helps us in our Krishna consciousness. According to Srila Prabhupada, ideally, a householder should give up to 50 percent of his earnings to Krsna, 25 percent for family and 25 percent as saving for exigencies.
Grihasthas should feel a sense of responsibility and should show compassion for all those who are suffering or are in need.
Reproduced from the Grahastha Manual by Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
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