Earning a Living.

A most significant commandment and practice, is that every morning, before we do anything else, we pray to G-d. While our minds are still clear and fresh, we lay the foundation, we set the course for the day, by connecting with the source of blessings, from where all the good luck comes from.

Once, a simple person traveled to his teacher for the Sabbath. As the custom was, before departing back home, he went to his teacher to receive a blessing. The Rabbi instructed him to go over his daily routine with him. The simple merchant described how he goes early in the morning, to buy merchandise from the farmers, and then, does his prayers before finally going to the market to sell his wares.

Hearing this, the Rabbi condemned his actions saying, “It was not proper to put G-d second in line.” By acting this way, he demonstrated a weakness in his faith in G-d, and more of a trust and confidence in his own actions.

The poor fellow tried to explain how important it was for him to get an advantage over other buyers by coming early, but the Rabbi responded, “Don’t you see how G-d provides for the entire universe effortlessly, and the only reason we work is because we are commanded to make an effort. When you give precedence to your work over your prayers, it appears as if you believe, it is entirely up to you, the money you earn”.

Let me tell you a story, said the Rabbi. Once, there was a poor teacher who decided to leave his family for the big city where he would earn enough money to open a business back home. After three years of earning a respectable living and having saved enough money, he decided to return home. He needed to stay over the Sabbath at an inn (when it is forbidden to travel and handle money) and was afraid someone could possibly steal his money. Although, he didn’t know the innkeeper, he figured that was a better bet than leaving the money in his room.

This fellow could not wait for the end of the Sabbath, and quickly went over to the innkeeper to ask for his money back. Upon receiving his bag of money, he started to count his gold coins. As he came to the end of his counting, he kept on shaking the sack. The innkeeper asked, “Is everything all right? I see you have all your gold coins.” The fellow answered. There was also one copper coin and I’m looking to see if it is still there.”

The teacher concluded. Look at the man's silliness. After seeing all the gold coins where intact, he still suspected perhaps, the innkeeper stole one copper coin. Likely, you are doing the same. When you go to bed every night, you entrust G-d with your soul, and there is no guarantee you will wake up in the morning. When you wake up, you open your eyes, the sun is shining, and G-d returned all the gold, “How is it that you are still not sure that G-d will provide as well, all your needs?”

According to the Bible, a person should not say, “I will eat, drink, and enjoy, and Heaven will have mercy.” We learn from Isaac, that seeds need to be planted, so G-d will bless our effort. However, we, don’t make a living. We do good deeds and earn the merit from G-d, and then, our efforts generate success at the right time and in the proper measure for each individual person.