The Importance of Money:
Sefer Od Yosef Chai relates a lesson that is hinted at in this pasuk:
The Gemara (Eruvin 86A) says that Rav Yehuda Hanasi would give honor to wealthy men. The Chida zt”l (Pesach Einayim) quotes the Arizal (Sefer Halikutim, Parshas Vayeitzei) as explaining that the reason he honored rich people is because wealth is a gift from Hashem that He sends to specific individuals. If Hashem chooses a person to become wealthy, that man becomes a vessel to receive Hashem’s kindness and goodness on a constant basis. Therefore, Rebbi would give honor to the rich because they have the merit of being a vessel to constantly accept Hashem’s influence.
Since money is a gift sent from Hashem, one should place value on the money Hashem gives him. He should treat it with a measure of respect and should not waste it on frivolous things. This is the reason why Yaakov Avinu went back to retrieve small jars that he had left behind (Chulin 91B). Since Hashem gave them to him, he treated them with respect and would not allow them to be discarded.
There is even more reason to give honor to wealthy people if they use the money Hashem gave them for the right things. Someone who wastes his money on fancy houses and cars is not the type of wealthy person that is meant to be honored. But if someone uses his money to give a lot of tzedakah, he is deserving of honor!
Hashem gave him this gift of money. It descended to him from a holy place. If he uses it properly, he creates holiness on this world that ascends on high, which causes more good influences to be sent back down to this world.
This is hinted at in our pasuk. The gematriah of “sulam”, ladder, is the same as the numerical value of “mamon”, money. Although the ladder is sitting on the ground – meaning that the money is an earthly, material thing – its head is in the Heavens – meaning that it creates holiness above. This is why tzadikim are careful with their money and treat it with respect. They know it has a holy source and can be used for holiness.
The verse than says a second reason why money is important. “Angels of Hashem were going up and down.” This indicates that sparks of holiness and holy neshamos that can take the form of a plant, animal or person, go up and down between this world and the next through the mitzvah of tzedakah. The holiness is sent up when the wealthy give tzedakah and holy neshamos come down to this world to benefit mankind.
