Charitable deeds are not merely acts of social service – they are a spiritual investment that shapes the quality of our lives. As the Bhagavad Gita says, spiritual merit – punya in Hindi – accumulated by good deeds is humanity’s greatest treasure. Those who accumulate spiritual merit live with inner joy and resilience, while those burdened with sin eventually suffer. When external supports such as money, friends, and relatives fail, spiritual merit alone stands as our true friend. Spiritual merit operates in subtle yet powerful ways. We can see this all around us. Even severe problems such as lifethreatening illnesses are alleviated against all odds when a person’s store of virtue comes to the forefront. This is a reflection of the deep connection between our actions, intentions, and the unseen laws that govern life. A simple medicine may work miracles for one person, while the most advanced treatments fail for another suffering the same ailment. Why? Because of the quality of karma they have performed and the spiritual merit or demerit they have accumulated.
Understanding what constitutes sin and virtue is essential. Sin is not limited to extreme acts such as theft or murder. It also includes harsh speech, hurting others’ feelings, gossip, jealousy, and actions driven by lust, greed, or ego. In essence, any action performed under the influence of negative thoughts becomes sinful. Sin weakens the mind, disturbs our peace, and eventually brings sorrow when we reap the fruit of our actions. Virtue, on the other hand, arises from soul-consciousness. Actions performed with pure intention, selflessness, and goodwill are virtuous. Selfless charity is perhaps the most highly regarded of all virtues. However, the Gita makes a subtle but important distinction: charity performed with ego — “I gave this,” “I built that,” “I fed so many people” — is considered a second-grade or ‘rajasic’ virtue. While the act itself may be good, the desire for recognition diminishes its spiritual power. If we repeatedly advertise our good deeds, their spiritual merit is gradually dissolved as we claim our reward in the form of praise and recognition.
The highest form of charity is to do good and forget it. When we help others quietly, without expectation of praise or reward, the subtle power of that virtue continues to work in our lives. Such spiritual merit becomes a silent force that protects, heals, and uplifts us. Even great spiritual practitioners can sometimes stumble here, by desiring name and fame. Yet true greatness lies in anonymity, because the One who truly needs to know — God — already knows about it. Charity is not limited to offering financial or material help. Giving courage, reassurance, right guidance, and hope to someone in distress is also a powerful form of virtue that earns immense blessings.
A disturbing trend is now spreading in society: the use of occult practices for personal gain at the expense of others. Those engaging in such activities do not realise the great wrong they are doing. They think that powers and wealth acquired through witchcraft will make them happy. They could not be more wrong. Wealth acquired through such means will not bring peace. How can it if we have ruined someone else’s life to become rich? If we are responsible for someone’s pain and suffering, what will we earn from them – blessings or something else? The negative energy that comes with ill-gotten wealth affects our life in an invisible but eventually painful way. All of this underscores a vital truth: money is not everything. Pure thoughts, virtuous deeds, and blessings are far greater assets.
We can be charitable even in our everyday conduct by speaking gently, avoiding harsh words, not disturbing others’ peace, and having good wishes for all. As the universal law states, whatever we give returns to us, often multiplied. Kindness begets kindness; cruelty returns as suffering. Ultimately, the greatest virtue is purity of thought, and the greatest charity is to live in a way that uplifts others — through actions, words, and even silent presence. Just one virtuous soul can generate positive vibrations that benefit entire communities. The lives of saints are proof of this. Centuries after they passed away, their lives continue to inspire countless people to be more honest, kind, and charitable. Therefore, our individual efforts towards goodness matter deeply. When we strive to increase our account of virtues through pure intentions and compassionate conduct, we accumulate the greatest treasure of all — a life guided by inner peace, strength, and lasting happiness. B.K. Surya is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.