Despite the need for a person to make efforts to provide for his needs, a person must understand that all his hishtadlus does not help him at all in the achievement of his aims, for it is Hashem Who determines his livelihood.
~ Beis HaLevi on Bitachon (with Artscroll commentary)
Emuna Daily 
I enjoy your daily emails but I am not familiar with all of the Hebrew terms that are used as if everyone knows what they mean. It would be so appreciated if you could provide a translation via a hyperlink.
Thank you,
Debbie Rosenthal
Sent from my iPhone
Good idea. I will make more of an effort to do so. Thank you!
Everything is from Hashem. That is absolutely the truth. However, some things require our own efforts. Thing like the air we breathe or the fact our heart beats requires no effort on our part. I don’t believe however, that without our efforts we would have livelihood. We can’t just sit back on the couch and say “ Hashem will provide”. It is like the guy on the roof of his house in a flood, a raft comes by telling him to get on. He says “no, Hashem will save me. “Then a boat comes by and says “get on, so you don’t drowned“ he says no, “Hashem will save me”. Lastly, helicopter comes by and says “climb the ladder. This is your last chance” and he says no “ Hashem will save me”. After the man dies, he goes to Heven and ask Hashem “what happen why didn’t you save me?“ Hashem says “I sent you two boats in helicopter.“
The point of the story is that we have to make our own efforts. If we make our own efforts, then Hashem will take us the rest of the way.
I believe it depends on one’s level of Bitachon. The vast majority of people must work, but realize that everything is from Hashem. Hard work doesn’t necessarily translate to making more money. Due to Adam’s sin, we need to work. It’s a tax. But we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that because we are working, we are making money. No, we work because we are told to work, but the money and everything else comes from Hashem.
Thanks for the reminder!
I know it’s true, but it helps to have the Truth reinforced to us in black-and-white by an outside party!