Why Work for a Living?

Question:

If you really trust in G‑d, why do you work for a living? Surely G‑d will provide!

Answer:

If I sit back and wait for money to fall from heaven, that is not faith—that’s lack of faith.

Such an attitude means that I’m essentially saying: if money falls from the sky, it’s from G‑d; but if money is made from smart investments or hard work, G‑d didn’t do it, it was me. I have limited G‑d by relegating His powers to the supernatural. I’m saying that when I do something the natural way, I did it on my own; G‑d had nothing to do with it.

Judaism says otherwise. A true believer is one who works hard, but realizes that the success or failure of his business is not in his hands, but in G‑d’s hands. Our efforts are the vessel, but it is G‑d who fills the vessel with His blessing.

This philosophy is at once liberating and demanding. It frees us from worrying about the outcome—that is in G‑d’s hands. But it places the onus on us—we have to do the work so G‑d can give us the blessing.

This is true not only in making a living, but in all areas of human endeavor. Whether we are seeking our soulmate, need a cure for an illness, or are being attacked by an enemy, we don’t wait for G‑d to do a miracle. We get up and do what has to be done, all the while knowing that the success of our actions comes from above.

Ultimately, when we make the effort but give the credit to G‑d, even we can bring about miracles.