Why is found money not mine even though I did not steal it?

Finding money rather than stealing it does not therefore make it yours. First consider whether the owner may be very anxious or need it urgently. Do not convince yourself that you can keep it simply because no one knows.

A news story described a delivery worker who found 380,000 dollars but delayed taking it to the police from morning until evening, then asked a group what to do. We did not know whether the money was eventually returned. But people urged the worker to hand it in and pointed out that the owner might be extremely worried, perhaps even waiting for that money to save a life. At such a moment, the thought of whether to keep it is a very practical test in everyday life.

From an energy perspective, indulging a small desire and then saying ‘I didn’t steal it’ means finding an excuse for yourself. If that small negative tendency is left unattended, it may grow. Even after spending the money on something you like, you might repeatedly feel uneasy, wondering whether you have harmed someone or taken money they needed to save a life. Do not see only what you can gain immediately. While you can still choose, hand the money in so the owner has a chance to recover it.

Spiritual practice lies in these everyday choices. When you encounter money that is not yours, are you willing to consider someone else’s needs rather than merely make excuses for your own greed? Do not assume it does not matter because it seems small. If you can make the right choice now, do not allow yourself to slip further and further into the wrong one.