Rebbe Nachman on Money
With economies in an uproar, here’s solid advice from Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. From honest dealings to emuna, Rebbe Nachman gives us a course of action.
“The Essential Rebbe Nachman”, Part 1
Honest Dealings
When a person conducts his working activities with faith and honesty, he fulfills the commandment to “love Hashem your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5), which is the root of all the commandments, and his livelihood will be sent to him without struggle and toil.
The commandment to love God “with all your might” (ibid.) is fulfilled by one who overcomes his desire for wealth and does not embark on ventures beyond his means but conducts his affairs fairly and honestly, investing his own money without borrowing from others. This commandment is also fulfilled by a person who gives one fifth of his net income to charity. (Likutey Moharan I, 93; 210; Sichot Haran #289)
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Torah law and business
All the Torah laws about property and business are relevant to practical business activity. Only one who is conversant with these laws can conduct his business with faith and honesty without stumbling. (Likutey Moharan I, 35)
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Guard Your Money
Be very careful to safeguard your money and take good care of your possessions. It is ridiculous to be the unlucky type who loses his money through laziness and irresponsibility.
A person takes time from Torah and prayer to struggle to earn money in order to support his family. After earning the money, should he become a luckless shlim mazelnik and not take care of it?
Money gained honestly must be guarded like the eyes in your head. (Sichot Haran #281)
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Contentment
Be content with what you have and take only what you need from this world. When you are content, you can enjoy the full light of God. But “the belly of the wicked shall be wanting” (Proverbs 13:25 ) – because they are not content with what they have and constantly feel the need for more.
Even out of the little that you take from this world, you must contribute a portion to charity. The act of charity whereby the giver benefits the receiver brings about the union of Tzaddik and Knesset Israel in the upper world, sending a flow of blessing and abundance into this world. (Likutey Moharan I, 54)
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Have Faith – And Live Within Your Means
Have faith that God will help you and provide you with what you need. Those supporting a family frequently lack sufficient income, clothing and other needs. One person may lack a simple garment; someone else may feel that he needs fine clothing and mansions.
Wait for God’s help! Don’t press the hour, insisting that all your needs must be satisfied immediately. Wait until God shows mercy.
If I were impatient when I need something, insisting on having it at once, I would have to borrow money and go into debt. Then I would have to wander around and travel in order to earn enough to repay my debts. I would be just like the many others who have to travel for this reason.
Understand this well: Learn to live within your means. Everyone is constantly in need of all kinds of things: this applies even to the very wealthy. It is best to be satisfied with a minimum and to run your household according to your means at the time.You may imagine that your wife and children need clothing. Indeed they may need it very badly. Even so, don’t press the hour and take loans or buy on credit. Wait until the time is ripe, when you are able to pay for what you need.
It is better to endure privation than to fall into debt. This applies to food, and all the more so to clothing and housing. It is better to be in debt to yourself and your family – to owe them the clothing – than to be in debt to the storekeeper.
In everything connected with making a living you must wait until the time is ripe. For “The eyes of all are to You, and You give them their food in its time ” (Psalms 145:15) . (Sichot Haran #122)
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Why Worry?
Why worry about making a living? The only thing to worry about is that you may die of hunger if you have nothing to eat. And if you die, what will be so terrible? You have to die anyway. (Sichot Haran #250)
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Work and Livelihood
God gives livelihood and people eat for nothing. They work only because of their sins. (Siach Sarfei Kodesh 1-274)
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The Folly of Envy
Sometimes a person is given great wealth. The whole world envies him and everyone goes chasing after wealth and possessions. They spend days and years on this – all because of envy. But in the end they are left with nothing in their hands.
All this is the work of the evil one. He works hard to make one man very wealthy in order that many, many others should waste away their days and years because of envy. Heaven save us from such folly! (Sichot Haran #284)
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To be continued.
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