The Buddha’s wisdom spanned both the spiritual and material world. In addition to his advice on how to overcome all kinds of mental and physical suffering using present moment awareness, the Buddha also expounded on the day-to-day realities of work, running a business and household finance. In respect of a lay person’s finances the Buddha said this:
“He who acquires his wealth in harmless ways like to a bee that honey gathers, riches mount up for him like ant hill’s rapid growth. With wealth acquired this way, a layman fit for household life, divides his wealth in four portions: thus he will win friendship. One portion for his wants he uses, two portions he spends on his business, the fourth for times of need he keeps.”
How should we direct our resources in the first portion, i.e., our wants? With respect to this, the Buddha explained how a person seeking spiritual progress should devote his resources. He stated as follows: “With the abandoning and eradication of stinginess as to one’s monastery [lodgings], the holy life is fulfilled. With the abandoning and eradication of stinginess as to one’s family [of supporters], the holy life is fulfilled. With the abandoning and eradication of stinginess as to one’s gains, the holy life is fulfilled. With the abandoning and eradication of stinginess as to one’s status, the holy life is fulfilled. With the abandoning and eradication of stinginess as to the Dhamma [the Buddha’s teaching], the holy life is fulfilled.”
Therefore, we can deduce from the Buddha’s words in these few passages that, if a person seeks happiness (the holy life), when he has succeeded in his business, he should direct that success through some of the resources he has gained towards his spiritual progress. Doing so will ensure that his material wealth will become a support rather than a distraction so that he remains on the path to spiritual realization.