Should I Give Her My Money?

In The Book of ECK Parables, Volume 3, Sri Harold Klemp tells the following story of an ECK initiate (member of Eckankar) who faces a dilemma after an unexpected request for her hard-earned money. In sharing this story, Sri Harold offers spiritual gold for all of us.

 

The Panhandler

By Harold Klemp

A young mother carrying a baby approached an ECK initiate in a parking lot. She had the typical sob story. “I don’t have any money,” the young mother said, “and my baby is sick. Would you give me some money for groceries?”

The ECKist worked hard as a waitress, and she didn’t have much money herself. But she gave the woman twenty dollars. The ECKist thought later that maybe she should’ve asked for an accounting of what would be done with the money; the young mother might have used it for alcohol or even drugs. Is this the right way to be an ECKist? she asked inwardly. She didn’t want to cement anyone else’s bad habits.

The ECKist spent quite a bit of time pondering this, thinking of all the different ways the woman might have lied to her. Then she had a realization. Her money, and all money, was of the ECK [the Holy Spirit]. How it was used by another person was that person’s responsibility. If she had it to give, and gave with a loving heart, that was what was important.

When the waitress went to work the next night, for some reason her customers were more than generous with their tips. She made back the twenty dollars she had given and much more.

All the things that we have in hand at this moment are from the ECK. But also from the ECK are many more things we cannot see which are just waiting for us if we have an open and grateful heart to receive them.

 

A Question to Contemplate

What have you learned about giving with a loving heart?