what poverty is and how to counteract it

[Guest guest]

The tendency of modern civilization is to give money in charity to the poor.

Such charity has no spiritual value because we actually see that although

there are so many hospitals and other foundations and institutions for the

poor, according to the three modes of material nature a class of poor men is

always destined to continue. Even though there are so many charitable

institutions, poverty has not been driven from human society. . . .

The best solution is that of the Krsna consciousness movement. This

movement is always kind to the poor, not only because it feeds them but also

because it gives them enlightenment by teaching them how to become Krsna

conscious. We are therefore opening hundreds and thousands of centers for

those who are poor, both in money and in knowledge, to enlighten them in

Krsna consciousness and reform their character

. . . . If one has money, it should not be squandered away on

nothing. It should be used to push forward the Krsna consciousness movement

so that all of human society will become happy, prosperous and hopeful of

being promoted back home, back to Godhead.

--SB 8.19.41, purport