תהלים, פרק ס״ב, פסוק י״א

After being cautioned against placing trust in human beings, the focus shifts to the danger of relying on money and property to provide security during times of trouble [אבן עזרא]. Specifically, there is a strong warning against depending on wealth acquired through improper means, as a great deal of human wealth is accumulated exactly in this way [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. There is a clear distinction between the different forms of dishonest gain. One involves wealth obtained through manipulation, fraud, exploitation, or the withholding of money that belongs to someone else, such as an unpaid debt. Another refers to property taken from someone directly through physical force [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ]. Building a life on such foundations is an exercise in adding emptiness to emptiness [אבן עזרא]. Beyond being immoral and strictly forbidden, stolen wealth simply cannot be relied upon [שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. Furthermore, a person should not trick themselves into thinking that they can hold onto stolen property without it interfering with their ability to genuinely trust in God [אלשיך].

A deeply frustrating reality often presents itself when dishonest wealth appears to thrive. Financial success is often compared to a crop that sprouts, multiplies, and bears fruit [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון]. It can be highly confusing to watch the wicked succeed while their ill-gotten gains visibly flourish and grow [רש״י, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. In the face of this reality, the clear instruction is to completely ignore this success. The primary approach among commentators is that one must not pay attention to or place any confidence in this apparent prosperity, because it is entirely temporary and lacks any real foundation. Such wealth will not last; ultimately, it will corrupt its owner and vanish completely [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, if this message is directed toward enemies, it serves as an encouragement to a close circle of followers, urging them not to fear the financial success of the wicked [מאירי].

Approaching the concept from a positive angle, [אלשיך] suggests that if a person successfully avoids fraud and robbery, their wealth will actually renew and grow honestly. However, even when wealth is acquired with complete integrity, a person must remain careful. They must never turn money into the central focus of their life, nor should they place their absolute trust in it.