## Chapter XVII The Benefits of Giving Contributions to Kṛṣṇa Conscious Devotees ### 1. One who gives money to a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is freed from sinful reactions: When such possessions [those which are the products of sinful life] are given to *brāhmaṇas *and Vaiṣṇavas who can engage them in the service of the Lord because of their advancement in spiritual life, this indirectly helps the person who gives the charity, for he is thus relieved of sinful reactions. As Kṛṣṇa promises, *ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi:* [*Bg* [[bg/18/66|18.66]]] "I* *shall save you from all sinful reactions." When our Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees go out to beg charity or collect contributions in the form of membership fees, the money thus coming to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is strictly employed to advance Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. The Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees collect the money of others for the service of Kṛṣṇa, and they are satisfied with Kṛṣṇa's *prasāda *and whatever He gives them for their maintenance. They do not desire material comforts. However, they go to great pains to engage the possessions of prostitutes, or persons who are more or less like prostitutes, in the service of the Lord and thus free them from sinful reactions. *— Cc. *Antya *[[cc/antya/3/139|3.139]]* ### 2. Giving contributions to authorized persons gives the donor unlimited benefit: Money given in charity to a suitable person is guaranteed bank balance in the next life. Such charity is recommended to be given to a *brāhmaṇa. *If the money is given in charity to a non-*brāhmaṇa* (without brahminical qualification) the money is returned in the next life in the same proportion. If it is given in charity to a half-educated *brāhmaṇa, *even then the money is returned double. If the money is given in charity to a learned and fully qualified *brāhmaṇa, *the money is returned a hundred and a thousand times, and if the money is given to a *veda-pāraga *(one who has factually realized the path of the *Vedas), *it is returned by unlimited multiplication. *— *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam *[[sb/2/3/17|2.3.17]]* ### 3. Giving a contribution to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement saves one from going to hell: **Śrīla Prabhupāda:** ...a man will go to hell by taking Kṛṣṇa's money. So some way or other, take some money from him and engage him in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. **Bob:** And then he may not go to hell? **Śrīla Prabhupāda:** Yes. You save him from going to hell. Because a farthing spent for Kṛṣṇa will be accounted: "Oh, this man has given a farthing." This is called *ajñāta-sukṛti *(spiritual activity one performs unknowingly). They are very poor in their thought. Therefore the saintly persons move just to enlighten them a little. To give them a chance. Giving them a chance to serve Kṛṣṇa. That is the saintly person's duty. **Bob:** That is what? **Śrīla Prabhupāda:** That is his duty. But if he takes money from others and utilizes it for his sense gratification, then he goes to hell. Then it is finished. Then he is a cheater; actually he is a criminal. You cannot take money, a farthing, from anyone, and use it for your own sense gratification. *— Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers*