Love for God - Means to gain prestige?

With references from "The Plate of Gold" by James Leigh Hunt

All people have a great yearning to be respected and admired in society। This admiration is gained either by fame of erudition i.e. by academic excellence, by their monetary worth or by being a 'noble soul' in the eyes of the world. Of the three ways, the one which men choose often to achieve prestige is - to appear to be a God-fearing, pious and charitable person.

But, appearance can be deceiving। When God or religion is used just to become respectable in society, the deeds are overpowered by words. It's the fame which becomes significant and the true love of God is obliterated. This can be seen in the poem 'The Plate of Gold'. On hearing the announcement made by the priests, many people gathered at the temple.They claimed that they were great philanthropists but did not empathise with the beggars who lay near the temple. They said they loved God but failed to love his humble creations who were present before their eyes.

The man who touched the plate when it turned to lead, was a very noble soul in the eyes of the people। His whole estate had been divided among the poor. But, this act had been done with the motive of being admired by people. There was no element of the love for God or true charity in his act. Hence, Heaven rejected this claimant.

'The Plate of Gold' very aptly describes how the name of God is abused to gain prestige and fame. It tells of all the men quarrelling with each other to decide who is the best lover of God. But none of them, except the peasant, had any pity or empathy for the downtrodden। All philanthropy, love and feeling of brotherhood was forgotten while giving alms to the poor.

It was an abuse of "God, religion and charity" when the notions were used to gain something for their own selves.