Chazal (Pirkei Avos 3:16) say, כל על פרוסה מצודה החיים , "A trap is spread out before all people." The Mishnah, however, doesn't reveal what the trap is.
The Baal Shem Tov said that the trap is the pursuit of parnassah. פרוסה often means a slice of bread (פרס אכילת כדי). So, פרוסה מצודה means that food is a trap that is before all people. In other words, the pursuit of parnassah is a trap. People are so involved in their work that they don't find time for Torah, tefillah, and other parts of avodas Hashem.
The Bas Ayin writes, "The pursuit for parnassah is a trap. People become immersed in their work and don't leave room in their hearts for avodas Hashem. But when one contemplates... that Hashem kindly sustains the entire world and believes that Hashem will sustain him... then he will find room in his heart for Torah and mitzvos. And then when he studies Torah, Hashem will shine onto him a holy light...and he will rise from level to level..."
There's yet another trap in the pursuit of parnassah: theft. The Gemara (Bava Basra 165.) states, הרע לשון באבק וכולם בעריות ומיעטם בגזל רובם, "Most people sin with theft..." The Mesilas Yesharim (11) explains, "Although most people don't steal... nevertheless, most people taste the taste of theft in their business..." People are moreh heter; they think they are permitted to cut corners, etc. They don't realize that these leniencies may fall under the umbrella of theft.
Towards the end of the parashah (31:38-41), Yaakov expressed that he had worked honestly for Lavan for twenty years. Yaakov would repay him with his own money if a sheep were stolen or killed by wild animals. He guarded the sheep in the heat of the day and the cold at night, with little sleep. And Hashem repaid his honesty, for Yaakov became very wealthy. The ways the Avos acted is a lesson for us-לבנים סימן אבות מעשי the way the avos acted, is a lesson for us. And everyone must say, "When will my deeds come near to the deeds of my forefathers." We learn from Yaakov's honesty in business and strive to do the same.
The Chofetz Chaim (Shemiras HaLashon, Shaar HaTevunah ch.11) teaches that when one steals from his fellow man, he is a rasha and a fool. He is a fool because one doesn’t gain from theft. This is because it is impossible to earn more money than the amount destined for him on Rosh Hashanah. Furthermore, the money he stole will bring ruin to the rest of the money that he has. As stated in Derech Eretz (Zuta 3), "If you take that which isn't yours, yours will be taken away from you." And the Gemara (Succah 29:) states, "Wealthy people lose all their money for four reasons" and among the reasons is theft, such as not paying workers. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 8.) states, "Hakadosh Baruch Hu says to reshaim, it isn't enough that you steal, you also obligate me to return the theft to the right owner."
The Chofetz Chaim explains that this happened to Lavan. He stole from Yaakov many times, as it states (31:7), משכרתי את והחליף מנים עשרת , "He changed my payment tens of times." And everything he stole was returned to Yaakov as it states (31:11-12), העתודים כל וראה וברדים נקודים עקודים הצאן על העולים . Yaakov Avinu saw in his dream malachim carrying away Lavan's sheep and bringing them into Yaakov's territory.
How could the malachim do that? It seems like theft! A malach explained to Yaakov, כי לך עושה לבן אשר כל את ראיתי , "I saw everything Lavan did to you." He stole from you, and now it is being returned to you.
