Small tidbits and Sparks of wisdom

1. Extravagance vs. Restraint
It is a strange contradiction of human nature that a man will spare no expense when it comes to adorning himself with luxuries. A large collar, a costly jewel, or some fleeting ornament becomes to him a necessity, and for these vanities he opens his purse without hesitation. Hundreds of coins flow easily for the sake of fashion, for status, or for the admiration of others, and yet he sees no excess in this indulgence.

2. Stinginess in Charity
But when the same man is approached for tzedakah, when the poor stretch out their hands or a sacred cause is placed before him, suddenly he shrinks back. The hand that was so ready to scatter gold upon trifles becomes closed and heavy. He presses a single coin into the hand of the pauper, as though he has already ascended to the loftiest heights of generosity. What was once an open stream of wasteful spending becomes a miser’s trickle when the honor of Heaven and the needs of His people are concerned.

3. The Hypocrisy of Priorities
This is the great hypocrisy which the Sages rebuked: that one can justify lavish spending on the self while rationing mitzvah spending as though it were a grievous loss. The Pele Yoetz teaches that what the rich man dismisses as refuse may in fact be the very sustenance of the poor, who see it as prime goods and treasure it as dearly as the pupil of their own eye. Yet the wealthy man allows the counsel of the yetzer hara to deceive him, convincing him that giving even such leftovers is beneath his dignity.

4. The Spiritual Consequence
Such behavior is not merely stinginess; it is a disgrace. It wrongs the needy, who are deprived of relief, but it also dishonors the giver, who reveals by his actions that his comforts are dearer to him than the mitzvos of the Torah. He elevates his honor above the honor of Heaven, exalting his vanities while ignoring the eternal reward that stands before him. In truth, he becomes small in the eyes of men and in the judgment of Heaven, for he has shown that wealth is his master and not his servant.

5. The Call to Wisdom
The wise man, however, acts with discernment. He knows how to restrain himself from needless extravagance and to direct his wealth toward enduring purposes. He learns from David HaMelech, who diminished his own royal comforts in order to gather a treasury for the Beis HaMikdash. By following this example, the wise man honors God with his substance, gladdens the hearts of the downtrodden, and earns the respect of his fellows. In this balance lies true dignity: that one’s possessions serve him in the service of Heaven, and not the other way around.

6. The Dominion of Money
Yet, tragically, monetary gain has become the ruling force of our generation, to the point where men are governed by it more than by any other passion. The desire for wealth has taken hold of the heart, stronger than physical appetites, stronger even than the fear of sin. A man’s money has become more precious to him than his health, his honor, and at times even more than his very soul.

7. The Duty of Man
Yet one must not despair before this mighty urge, for this is the true duty of man in the world: to conquer his yetzer hara. As the Sages taught, “Who is strong? He who subdues his inclination” (Avos 4:1). He must open his eyes and realize that blind pursuit of wealth destroys men, brings them to ruin, and leaves them embittered and broken.

8. Truth Before God
A man must face the absolute truth: it is better to suffer hunger and deprivation than to stand guilty before the Almighty for dishonest or destructive pursuit of gain. To choose the crooked path for the sake of profit is to anger one’s Creator and Benefactor, Heaven forbid.

9. The Strength to Prevail
Therefore a man must strengthen himself with might. He must look upon silver and gold as nothing when set against the will of Heaven. He must act with courage so that wealth and possessions appear small to him compared to the greatness of serving his Creator.

10. Faith in Providence
He should believe with complete faith that every detail of his livelihood is already decreed by Heaven. With this conviction planted firmly in his heart, he will not be shaken by the rising waves or the shifting storms of the world. Whether fortune rises or falls, he remains steadfast, knowing that his sustenance is secure in the hands of God.