The Ketores of Beis Hamikdash had a special segulah of bringing wealth to he who offered it. Because it says They shall place incense in Your nostrils, and right afterward it says May Hashem bless his wealth.
When the daily lotteries were held in Beis Hamikdash to decide which kohanim would do what, only those kohanim who never got to offer Ketores were allowed to participate in that particular lottery. This way, every kohen would get an opportunity to do this special avodah at least once in his life, as it carried a special segulah for wealth.
But why did the Ketores have this special power? The following allegory brings out the point. Let’s say someone goes into a jewelry shop to buy an expensive gold watch as a gift. After he pays, the salesperson packs up the watch in a fancy box and wraps it with nice wrapping paper. The customer asks, “How much do I need to pay for the nice packaging?” The salesperson says, “You don’t need to pay. The packaging is for free.” And before the customer leaves the store, the salesperson gives him another few fancy boxes and whatnot so he will have them at home in case he might need them.
There was bystander in the store who saw the generous salesperson giving out fancy packaging for free. He goes up to the counter and asks for a few of those fancy boxes for himself. The salesperson says, “Sure, no problem, but they cost $15 each.”
The bystander says, “But wait a minute, you just gave that other guy for free. Why do I have to pay full price?”
The salesperson says, “Well, you know, he just bought a really expensive item, and paid a high price for it. That’s why he gets the packaging for free. But you want only the boxes, so you need to pay what they cost.”
That’s how it is with avodas Hashem. Wealth is really just a shiny external packaging, compared to earnest and excited avodas Hashem that comes from within.
However, there are two kinds of avodah. There is the main avodah, which is fulfilling mitzvos with all of one’s limbs and organs, and that is represented by the service performed on the Mizbeach Hachitzon, the “external” Altar, on which burnt offerings were placed. And then there is the avodah that is performed with zest and excitement within one’s own heart. This is represented by the Mizbeach Hapenimi, the “inner” Altar, on which the incense was burned.
If a person’s service of Hashem is only external, it is hard for him to merit wealth through this. He would be fortunate if it is enough for him and his family just to merit a modest parnassah and to stay healthy. Such a person needs to really exert himself in tefilos and bakashos to merit wealth as well.
A person who offers Ketores is different. It represents a fine inner avodah that brings before Hakadosh Baruch Hu the pleasing fragrance of truly heartfelt feelings. This is such a precious “item” that it naturally comes along with nice “packaging”; Hashem blesses him with wealth. It’s not because he “deserves” the fancy package, because for an expensive piece of jewelry, the pretty box is free, and you get more to go.
