4. Participation in community work and other programmes of the Organisation

This is merely a codification of an injunction that is in every religion of the world - to serve man and thus serve God - 'Service to man is service to God'.

Sai Baba has prescribed that the qualification of membership to the Sai Organisation is not just to attend devotional singing meetings, but to accept the 9 point code of conduct as part of our life and in doing so perform some service to the community. Aspirants are asked to provide 4 hours of service every week to the poor, the sick and the needy. Perhaps, among all of Sai Baba's injunctions, this one calling aspirants to perform community service separates those 'devotees' who wish to hop along on one leg, that is, making devotional singing their primary spiritual activity from those who are the 'thirsty' seekers, striding forward in their spiritual journey on the two legs of devotion and selfless service towards the inevitable prize of divine knowledge.

Sai Baba has declared 'Hands that help are holier than lips that pray'.

Very often aspirants sit back and wait for the Sai Centre leaders to organise service activities, and even when these are organised many find a hundred excuses not to participate in them, instead of finding the one reason to serve. Aspirants should realise that community service makes up part of the divine formula for salvation and God's Grace.  And if necessary, they should in fact be urging, and forcing complacent Center leaders to organise meaningful service activities to assist the spiritual development of the members of the Centre.

As for leaders of Sai Centres who have taken up the divine task of leading a SAI Centre - they should be fully cognizant of their divine responsibility. Members depend upon them to show the way, set the example and direction. If leaders are unable to fulfil this responsibility, it might be wise for them to step down and allow those aspirants with the time, the energy and initiative to take up the leadership role in a Centre.