Adiya Sutta
Then Anathapindika the householder went to the Blessed One and,
on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was
sitting there the Blessed One said to him: "There are these five
benefits that can be obtained from wealth. Which five?
"There is the case where the disciple of the noble ones -- using
the wealth earned through his efforts and enterprise, amassed
through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of
his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained -- provides himself
with pleasure and satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure
rightly. He provides his mother and father with pleasure and
satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. He provides his
children, his wife, his slaves, servants, and assistants with
pleasure and satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly.
This is the first benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones -- using the wealth
earned through his efforts and enterprise, amassed through the
strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteously gained -- provides his friends and
associates with pleasure and satisfaction, and maintains that
pleasure rightly. This is the second benefit that can be obtained
from wealth.
"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones -- using the wealth
earned through his efforts and enterprise, amassed through the
strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteously gained -- wards off from calamities
coming from fire, flood, kings, thieves, or hateful heirs, and
keeps himself safe. This is the third benefit that can be obtained
from wealth.
"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones -- using the wealth
earned through his efforts and enterprise, amassed through the
strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteously gained -- performs the five oblations:
to relatives, guests, the dead, kings, and devas. This is the
fourth benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones -- using the wealth
earned through his efforts and enterprise, amassed through the
strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteously gained -- institutes offerings of
supreme aim, heavenly, resulting in happiness, leading to heaven,
given to priests and contemplatives who abstain from intoxication
and heedlessness, who endure all things with patience and humility,
each taming himself, each restraining himself, each taking himself
to Unbinding. This is the fifth benefit that can be obtained from
wealth.
"If it so happens that, when a disciple of the noble ones
obtains these five benefits from wealth, his wealth goes to
depletion, the thought occurs to him, 'Even though my wealth has
gone to depletion, I have obtained the five benefits that can be
obtained from wealth,' and he feels no remorse. If it so happens
that, when a disciple of the noble ones obtains these five benefits
from wealth, his wealth increases, the thought occurs to him, 'I
have obtained the five benefits that can be obtained from wealth,
and my wealth has increased,' and he feels no remorse. So he feels
no remorse in either case."
'My wealth has been enjoyed,
my dependents supported,
protected from calamities by me.
I have given supreme offerings
and performed the five oblations.
I have provided for the virtuous,
the restrained,
followers of the holy life.
For whatever aim a wise householder
would desire wealth,
that aim I have attained.
I have done what will not lead to future distress.'
When this is recollected by a mortal,
a person established in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones,
he is praised in this life
and, after death, rejoices in heaven.