Success Is From Hashem

A theme of Moshe Rabbeinu’s final rebuke was a warning not to forsake Hashem when one was blessed with abundance.

A further point he made is that it is absolutely forbidden for a person to attribute his success and wealth to himself and his own brilliance.

Moshe warned that this is the very point that will lead a person to his own self destruction. Arrogance and denying Hashem, are the ingredients that will cause a person to fall.

The Orchot Tzaddikim takes this a step further by saying that any money that comes into our hands, is all coming from Hashem. This even includes gifts from parents to their children. The parents are acting as G-d’s messenger, and we must not take anything for granted.

The key to happiness is the recognition that nobody owes us anything. There is no such thing as entitlement. If we see all that we possess as a gift, we will feel humbled by the abundant kindness that was shown to us.

We will be content with our lot in life and not be jealous of others.

Moshe understood human nature and how easy it is for someone to take himself too seriously.

He should appreciate his G-d given abilities that have allowed him to succeed. But, ultimately, he must recognize that all success comes exclusively from Hashem.