Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.10.4
Mukti· LiberationServe With Love, Not for Profit
“Otherwise, O my Lord, O supreme instructor of the entire world, You are so kind to Your devotee that You could not induce him to do something unbeneficial for him. On the other hand, one who desires some material benefit in exchange for devotional service cannot be Your pure devotee. Indeed, he is no better than a merchant who wants profit in exchange for service.”
What the purport teaches
- Those who approach the Supreme Lord for relief from distress or financial need are pious. Yet concern for material benefit is not pure devotion.
- Seeking profit in exchange for devotional service is a merchant’s mentality. A pure devotee has no desire for material profit and uses any opulence for the Lord’s service.
- The Lord accepts a simple offering made with love and devotion. He supplies His devotee’s needs without encouraging material desires.
Try this today
Offer the Lord a little water, a flower or fruit with devotion, without asking for material profit.
Ask yourself
Do I offer service out of love, or with an expectation of something in return?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.