Why Do Some People Get Rich Without Faith? The Jewish View on Wealth and Prayer

Why is it that wealthy or well-off people seem not to need prayers or good deeds in order to receive free gifts from God? I know people who, no matter what they do or believe (and they are far from faith), still receive most of the money. How does Judaism explain this?

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Even wealthy people suffer from many problems including difficulties in marriage and family peace, worries in business, struggles with children, illnesses, and pain. Studies show that wealthy people are not actually happier than those with average means when it comes to life satisfaction.

Even if outwardly the rich appear to have more, this does not mean they are happier. It is God who determines a person’s true satisfaction and happiness in life. Sometimes someone who looks “ordinary” on the outside lives a wonderful and joyful life, while someone who looks “rich” on the outside may actually live a miserable and troubled life. The mistake comes from judging only by appearances.

In the end, we all need prayers. We see countless wealthy, successful, and famous people who eventually returned to faith. Even at the height of material pleasure, they did not find true fulfillment or a solution to their suffering. Judaism gave them the real answer.

Regarding a person’s material situation in this world, the Talmud says (Niddah 16b): “Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa taught: The angel appointed over conception — his name is ‘Night’, takes the drop [of seed] and presents it before the Holy One, blessed be He, and says before Him: ‘Master of the Universe, what will become of this drop? Strong or weak, wise or foolish, rich or poor?’ But whether it will be righteous or wicked, he does not say.”

All the events of a person’s life, including whether he will be rich or poor, are already decreed before he is even born. It has nothing to do with whether someone is religious or not but rather, it is determined based on his soul’s previous incarnation. This is the reason it is decided into which family he will be born, and how successful he will be in life.

And yet, prayers are always effective. If a person is destined to be poor, prayers can help him cope and overcome the hardships of livelihood. If a person is destined to be rich, prayers can help him overcome the personal struggles that he is faced with.