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Sharing Rebbe Nachman’s wisdom: Post #3
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I’ve been conducting research for a workshop I’m teaching at the Aleph Kallah, which will be held in Columbus, OH, from June 29-July 5. I’ll be teaching about Rebbe Nachman’s advice on a variety of topics. I see him as the first Jewish life coach. He had much wisdom to offer, so, once again, I thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve found here in this column.
Here’s one of his sayings about money: “The essence of a person’s faith is seen in his relationship to money” (Advice, The Breslov Research Institute). To find the truth in this statement, ask yourself these two questions: When you are feeling pinched for money, do you give to others in need or do you hoard what little you have for yourself? When you don’t feel you have enough money to pay your own bills or to cover your own needs, do you offer money to others in need or do you keep your wallet closed? If in these situations you give or you offer money to those in need, you have faith – faith that God will provide for you. If you don’t give, then you lack faith in God’s ability to provide for you.
If you have faith, you will never feel as if you can’t offer your last penny to someone else who also is lacking financially, because you will have a “knowing,” a true belief and trust that God will give to you and that you will receive from God what you need. That is faith, and that shows the connection between faith and money.
When you don’t have faith, you don’t give. You don’t believe or know in your kishkes, your gut, that you will be okay, that God will take care of you. You don’t give no matter what, opening yourself in the process to receive from God. You don’t have faith that God will give to you in the same manner that you are giving to others.
A clear connection between faith and money does, indeed, exist. Can you see it in your life? Can you see it in the way you approach giving tzedakkah? Can you see it in the way you spend or save? What does that say about your relationship with God?
[By the way, it's not too late to register for the Aleph Kallah. Mention my name and save $75.]
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