Costly Temples or Moon Dust? – Why We Must Don't Spoil Money
In the eyes of a pure devotee, money is not a tool for personal sense gratification but a sacred trust to be used in the service of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently reminded his students of the simple but vital command: Don't spoil money. This principle is not about being miserly, but about being intelligent with the energy of the Lord. Whether it is the public’s hard-earned money or the donations of faithful followers, every cent must be directed toward the real purpose of human life—reawakening Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This article examines the philosophy of spiritual economy, the folly of material waste, and the habit of careful stewardship.
Politics of Spiritual Spending
True wealth is that which is engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda, drawing from the wisdom of the great politician Cāṇakya Paṇḍita, teaches that if we have money, we should spend it for the Lord. If we do not, it will eventually be spoiled by time or taken by others who will waste it. By spending for the Supreme, a person ensures their service is recognized, creating ajñāta-sukṛti, or unseen pious credit. The instruction to Don't Spoil Money suggests that the best way to remain rich is to invest in very costly temples and the installation of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa or Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, for such investments never diminish.
- Canakya Pandita, he was great politician, he is advising that if you have got money, spend it for Krsna. Don't keep it. Spend it for Krsna. Why? It will be spoiled. Today or tomorrow. Somebody will take and spoil it. Better, if you spend it for Krsna.
- Somebody will take the money and spoil it. Better, if you spend it for Krsna, at least your service will be recognized. Krsna will see that this man is spending his hard-earned money for Me. That is called ajnata-sukrti.
- If you have got money, just spend it for very costly temple, for installing Laksmi-Narayana, Radha-Krsna, Sita-Rama, like that. Don't spoil your money in other way. Then you'll always remain rich. You'll never become poor.
- If you have got money, don't spoil it like Ravana, but engage it in Krsna's service.
Moon Dust and Modern Waste
One of the most prominent examples of failing to Don't Spoil Money is the modern obsession with space exploration. Śrīla Prabhupāda often criticized moon expeditions as an unnecessary expenditure of billions of dollars that resulted in nothing more than a little dust. He noted that while scientists exploit the public by taking their money, they fail to provide any tangible benefit for human society. Instead of wasting time, energy, and money on such excursions or purchasing unnecessary things like boats when an airplane is more efficient, the resources should be used to teach children perfectly in Sanskrit and English, ensuring a better future for the world.
- Just like your moon expedition, simply a waste of time and unnecessarily expenditure of money. So many billions of dollars you have spoiled, and what you have got? A little dust, that's all.
- Just see how they are spoiling hard-earned public money. Because there is no good leader, all these rascals are benefitting, taking their money, and enjoying, and giving bluff information to the public. This should be stopped.
- Concerning your idea to go port to port by ship, why waste time and energy. Don't spoil money purchasing boat. Port to port we can go by airplane.
- You should teach the children perfectly Sanskrit and English instead of spoiling time and money.
The Habit of Conscientious Management
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s personal example was one of extreme care regarding resources. He felt badly whenever money was squandered because he knew the great effort involved in its collection. His advice to his disciples was consistent: Don't spoil money by spending it unnecessarily, but rather concentrate on bhajan and real spiritual purpose. He emphasized that those who manage the Lord's money must show an example to the rest of the world, especially in places like America, by proving that the land and its people can be made happy through spiritual investment rather than material waste.
- It is my habit to see that money is not being squandered. If money is spent unnecessarily, I feel very badly. You are collecting with great effort, and I do not like to see it spoiled.
- There is no question of scarcity of money. Don't spoil money, but spend for real purpose, that's all.
- Make the whole land, people, very happy. You show this example all over the world, this example, in America. Don't spoil money. Show by example.
- If you have got money keep it with you. Don't spoil it unnecessarily. Concentrate on bhajan along with your father and mother. That is my advice.
Conclusion
The instruction to don't spoil money is a call to align our material resources with our spiritual values. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that failing to do so leads to the rampant exploitation of innocent people and the squandering of "forefather's hard-earned money." However, when we engage wealth in Kṛṣṇa's service—whether by building temples or educating the next generation—we perform something "most wonderful" that brings light to human society. Ultimately, by following this spiritual economy, we ensure that our energy is never wasted and that we always remain rich in the only thing that truly matters: the service and satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Don't Spoil Money. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.