The Burden of Power and Wealth

Rabbeinu Bachye in “Duties of the Heart,” wrote of the enormous burden placed on the individual who has wealth and power.

He is faced with tests and challenges that the average person does not experience. The main issue is to avoid letting this success go to this person’s head. The moment he attributes his success to his own abilities, he loses.

This delusional thinking will make him feel that he deserves respect and recognition for his achievements. His inability to recognize that what he possesses is a gift from Hashem, will ultimately lead to his demise.

He will become paranoid that everyone is after his money, and he will be suspicious of all those around him. The abundance that he has will prove to be a curse.

If he runs a business with many employees, he will have unreasonable expectations of them. Because he is so self absorbed with his feelings of grandeur, he will not be attentive to the needs of those who are dependent on him for their livelihood. The loyalty that he thinks he deserves, will allude him.

The G-d fearing successful individual, is constantly aware of the Divine blessings bestowed upon him. He feels it is his duty to be kind and generous to the less fortunate.

As an employer, he will give respect and encouragement to his employees. He will always show humility in the way that he treats people. For him, his money is a blessing.

Rabbeinu Bachye recognized that there are many challenges in life. Wealth and power is as big a challenge of faith, as the other tasks that we contend with on a daily basis.