A person can ascend or descend on a ladder just as we see with the malachim in the ladder in Yaakov’s dream.
The word סולם, ladder, has a gematria of 136. This is the same sum as ממון, money, and עוני, poverty. This alludes to the following idea. While some use poverty as an excuse for distancing themselves from Hashem, it is really one’s choice. There are those who are impoverished and still earn and excel in their Avodas Hashem.
Similarly, the wealthy might claim they have an excuse as their wealth distracts them from excelling in their spiritual pursuits, whether through the demands of business or other preoccupations.
However, we see examples of people in both circumstances: there are wealthy individuals who remain distant from Hashem and others whose wealth becomes a vehicle for drawing closer to Him.
A wealthy person can use his resources for tremendous good—supporting the poor, funding Torah institutions, establishing gemachim among others.
On the other hand, poverty, while challenging, can also inspire profound tefillah and reliance on Hashem. Wealth and poverty are like a ladder: they can elevate or bring one down. The key is to always strive to ascend, using whatever Hashem has granted you as a tool for growth in your Avodas Hashem.
Breishis 28:12, Rashi.
Studies have shown that many people care more about their relative income (how much they make compared to others) than their absolute income (the raw amount they earn). In a 1998 study (“Is more always better? A survey on positional concerns”), participants were asked to choose between scenarios like: Earn $50,000 while others earn $25,000 or earn $100,000 while others earn $200,000. A large share chose the lower absolute income if it meant they were better off relative to others. Similar findings have been reported in later behavioral economics work. People get satisfaction not just from what they have, but from how it compares to those around them.
We see this in the gemara (Yoma 35b) that tells us that although Hillel lived in dire poverty, he still overcame all obstacles to Torah study. Likewise, R' Elazar Ben Charsom was very wealthy and he overcame all obstacles and rationalizations against personal Torah study.
Wealth and abundance can bring about tests, as a person can be affected negatively by wealth. They may become haughty or arrogant or misappropriate it. For this reason, the word שפע, bounty shares the same letters as פשע, sin. Similarly, the word עשר, wealth shares the same letters as the word רשע, a wicked person. We must make sure to use our money to bring us closer to Hashem.
This is the malach of Esav (Succa 29a, Rashi s.v. eloheha).
