10 Hovot HaLevavot: Materialism, Bitahon (trust), Emuna (faith) and Menuhat HaNefesh (tranquility)

(33) Among the benefits of trusting in G-d regarding religious matters:

(34) One who trusts in G-d, if he has wealth, will be quick to fulfill his monetary obligations to G-d and to men with a willing and generous spirit. If he does not have wealth, he will consider that lack of wealth to be among the favors of G-d to him, because he is exempt from the monetary obligations to G-d and men which wealth brings, and he is spared from the mental distraction of protecting and managing it, as one of the pious used to say: "may G-d save me from dispersion of the mind". They would ask him "what is dispersion of the mind?" He would answer: "to own property at the head of every river and the center of every town." And this is what our sages referred to in saying: "the more possessions, the more worry" (Avos 2:7), and they said: "who is wealthy? He who is content with what he has" (Avos 4:1).

(35) One who trusts in G-d will receive the benefits of money, namely, his material needs, but without the mental distraction and constant worry of the wealthy, as the wise man said "The sleep of the laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the satiety of the rich does not allow him to sleep" (Koheles 5:11).

(36) Another benefit, one who trusts in G-d will not diminish his trust on account of having much wealth because he does not rely on the money. He regards it as a deposit which he is ordered to use in specific ways, for specific matters and for a limited time. And if he stays wealthy for a long time, he will not become arrogant due to his wealth. He will not remind the poor person of his charity gifts since he was commanded to give to him, and he will not seek his gratitude and praises. Rather, he will thank his Creator who appointed him as a means for doing good to the poor person.

(37) If his wealth is lost, he will not worry nor mourn his loss. Rather, he will thank his Creator for taking back His deposit, just like he thanked G-d when it was given to him. He will be happy with his portion, and will not seek to damage others . He will not covet other people's wealth as the wise man said "A righteous man eats to sate his appetite, [but the stomach of the wicked shall feel want]." (Mishlei 13:25).

(38) Benefits of trust in G-d for worldly matters:

(39) * Peace of mind from the worries of this world.

(40) * Peace from the frenzy and drive to pursue the lusts of this world.

(41) * feeling calm, secure, at peace in this world, as written "blessed be the man who trusts in G-d, and G-d shall be his refuge" (Yirmiyahu 17:7), and "For he shall be like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream. [It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves stay green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit]" (Yirmiyahu 17:8).

(42) Among them, peace of mind from the need to travel to faraway journeys, which weakens the body, and hastens aging, as written "my strength has weakened from the journey, my life shortened" (Tehilim 102:24).

(43) It is said about a novice ascetic who travelled to a distant land in search of a livelihood. He met one of the idolaters of the city where he arrived and said to him: "how completely blind and ignorant you are to worship idols!". The idolater asked him: "And what do you worship?". The ascetic answered "I worship the Creator, the Omnipotent, the Sustainer of all, the One, the Provider of all, which there is none like Him". The idolater countered "your actions contradict your words!" The ascetic asked "How so?", the idolater said "if what you say were true, He would have provided a livelihood for you in your own city, just like He provided for you here, and it would not have been necessary for you to trouble yourself to travel to a faraway land like this." The ascetic, unable to answer, returned to his city and reassumed his asceticism from that time on, and never again left his city.

(44) Another benefit, peace of mind and body, due to sparing oneself from pursuing grueling jobs, and wearying occupations, avoiding work of kings - mingling in their culture and dealing with their corrupt servants.

(45) But one who trusts G-d, selects among the different occupations one which is easy on his body, allows him to earn a good reputation, does not consume his mind, and is best suited for fulfilling his torah obligations and the principles of his faith, because the choice of occupation will neither increase nor decrease the income he will earn unless G-d decreed so, as it says "For it is not from the east or from the west, neither from the desert does elevation come. But G-d judges; He lowers this one and elevates that one." (Tehilim 75:7), and "He causes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters" (Tehilim 23:2).

(46) Another benefit, minimal aggravation in one's business dealings. If one's merchandise does not sell, or if he is unable to collect his debts, or if he is struck by illness, because he knows that the Creator is in charge of his life and knows best what is good for him, as written "Only to G-d should you hope, my soul, for my hope is from Him" (Tehilim 62:6).