Creation has no predetermined limits. It is an eternal process whose beginning or end cannot be known. In the process of birth, growth and dissolution, besides the Will of the Lord, the role of human effort can also be recognized to a certain extent. Man's destiny is determined by the nature on his actions, thoughts and desires.
The sacred Scriptures of this land loudly proclaim that the individual is the architect of his own fate; high or low status in society, luxury or poverty, liberty or bondage. Whatever form the person craves for now while alive in this world, that form he attains after death. Therefore, it is clear that karma decides birth and that the luxury or poverty, the character and attitude, the level of intelligence, the joys and griefs of this life are the earnings gathered during the previous life. The inference, therefore, is inevitable that the next life of the individual will be in consonance with the activities prompted by the level of Karma in this life.
God is not involved in either reward or punishment. He only reflects, resounds and reacts. He is the eternal unaffected Witness. You decide your own fate. Do good, be good, you get good in return; be bad, do bad deeds, you receive bad results. Do not thank or blame God. He does not even will that creation, protection and destruction shall take place. They follow the same law, the innate law of the maya-ridden universe.
(Gems of Wisdom, Gate, pg 87)
