From the shiurim on Kav Hashgachah Pratis
a wealthy man is wise. We have observed people who were once simple and unlearned, but once they became wealthy they were suddenly endowed with wisdom. This is in accordance with the words of the Zohar, which says that wisdom lies where there is plenty. And therefore, once he is given his parnassah amply, he becomes wise in our eyes.
Someone asked me: If so, why does the passuk state, “Not to the wise will be bread”? And I answered him: This is referring to the flawed belief that “it is my wisdom and the talents of my hand that brought me this wealth.” This is not so. But it is true that when Hashem decrees wealth upon a person, he is granted wisdom as well.
(Divrei Torah, fifth edition, p. 96)
Circumstances Are Dictated by Him
When we see someone succeeding in business, our first thoughts about it are that he is capable, that he understands his business well, that he has a great deal of energy, and so on. It is important for us to realize that we mask our lack of emunah by constantly using expressions like baruch Hashem, b’ezras Hashem, and im yirtzeh Hashem. The truth is that our thinking is based on nature alone, without taking Hashem’s hashgachah into account. This is proof that our emunah is, unfortunately, lacking. As the passuk states (Yeshayahu 29:13) “With his mouth and with his lips he honored Me, but his heart is distant from Me.”
We must work on strengthening emunah in our hearts, and on learning, first of all, that whatever happens and whatever talents a person possesses are from Hashem, and He is the One Who dictates what will happen. All natural explanations are actually Hashem’s decrees being carried out, and if someone succeeds, it is not because he was wise, but only because Hashem wanted him to succeed and therefore granted him that wisdom.
(Based on Michtav Me’Eliyahu, Volume I, p. 182)
He Receives Wisdom in Order to Have Parnassah
Even if someone is wise, he should not think that he has gained his wealth through his wisdom, or that through his wisdom he will manage even in a year of drought, and even if he sins. Things do not work that way. Rather, as long as Hashem decreed that he would gain his parnassah through his wisdom, he was granted the wisdom through which he earned his parnassah. Despite a person’s intelligence, he would not have been able to acquire any wealth if the Creator had decreed poverty upon him.
A person might have to perform many good deeds before Hashem decrees that he can gain wealth through his wisdom; and He decrees exactly how much wealth he will earn and how long he will have it, based on his deeds.
(Based on Ha’emunah V’habitachon L’Ramban, ch. 22)
It Was Decreed That He Have Parnassah According to His Wisdom
There are three types of decrees: Sometimes it is specifically decreed for a person that he will be wealthy, and this happens regardless of his efforts. Likewise, if it is decreed for him that he will live and be healthy, then even if he goes through water or fire he will escape unharmed. And if it is decreed him that he be poor or die or suffer, then too, all his efforts to avoid this will be in vain, for he will not be able to nullify the Heavenly decree.... However, it is possible that it was decreed in Shamayim that his life and peace and wealth will be subject to the laws of nature, based on his acumen, hishtadlus, and choices.... Therefore, a person should engage in work and use his intelligence to determine what course is best to bring home sustenance for his family and to safeguard his health, and then Hashem will give it to him.
(Based on Pelle Yo’etz, entry Da’as)
Wisdom and Wealth
The holy Munkatcher Rebbe zy”a (Rav Tzvi Hirsch of Munkatch) often remarked that most people believe that a wealthy man is wise. We have observed people who were once simple and unlearned, but once they became wealthy they were suddenly endowed with wisdom. This is in accordance with the words of the Zohar, which says that wisdom lies where there is plenty. And therefore, once he is given his parnassah amply, he becomes wise in our eyes.
