Earning a living

A couple of years ago a job interview was canceled at the last minute and I called up a friend of mine and told her how upset I was about the development. I will never forget her words.
She said, "At the beginning of the new year, Hashem determines how much money you and your husband will earn in the coming year. So, why not let your husband work to earn the money while you can be busy with other activities like taking care of the household, doing chesed and relaxing, as well?"
Yesterday I bumped into a woman who had lost her teaching position at the beginning of the year and was still searching for a new job. She told me, however, that the years that she had been teaching were years that her husband earned less than normal and he complained to her that her earnings were taking away from his earnings.

Yesterday I also received an email written by Rabbi Eli Mansour about earning a livelihood.
Parashat Beshalah tells the story of the Manna, the miraculous bread that fell from the heavens each morning to sustain Beneh Yisrael during their travels in the wilderness. In a number of ways, the Manna provides us with a model and example for the proper approach toward Parnasa – earning a livelihood. When Beneh Yisrael walked outside the camp each morning to collect their daily rations, it was readily obvious to them that they were supported by God. There was no possibility of taking personal credit for their sustenance, of denying God’s role in providing them with their daily needs. And this must be our attitude toward Parnasa – that only God decides how much a person will have. When we receive our monthly paycheck, we must realize that it is God who enabled us to work and to earn a living. As Moshe Rabbenu urges us in the Book of Debarim (8:18), “You shall remember Hashem your God, for it is He who gives you strength to accumulate wealth.”
....A successful businessman once had to be out of the office for extended periods of time because his son was in the hospital. That year, he spent less time than ever before tending to his business, in order to be with his son in the hospital. The man told me that, strangely enough, that was the business’ most profitable year. Specifically the year he worked the least brought him the most earnings.
This is just one of many examples that prove that it is ultimately God, and not our effort, who determines our earnings. Although we must certainly put in time and use our skills in securing a livelihood, we must constantly remind ourselves that “it is He who gives you strength to accumulate wealth,” that our financial success is determined only by Hashem.
Read full article: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp