Is There One God For The Rich, And One For The Poor?

On their travels, Guru Nanak and Mardana met a Muhammadan notable called Sheikh Wajid. The Sheikh stopped to rest under under a tree, and his servants began to shampoo and fan him. Contemplating what he saw, Mardana asked Guru Nanak whether there was one God for the rich and another for the poor. Guru Nanak replied that there was only one God. Mardana then put his question in another form:

"Who created this man who rides in a sedan of ease while the bearers have no shoes to their feet? Their legs are naked while they shampoo and fan him."

Guru Nanak replied with the following verses:
They who prayed to God and gave in charity in their former lives, are now kings and receive tribute on earth.
They who were then wearied, are now shampooed by others.

Guru Nanak continued in prose: "O Mardana, whoever is born hath come naked from his mother's womb, and joy or misery is the result of actions in previous states of existence." Mardana understood that Guru Nanak was explaining the concept of karma and that a persons actions, here and now, have an effect on their future well being.

Source: Macauliffe, M.A (1909). The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus Sacred Writings and Authors. ISBN 8175361328.

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