There are a number of ways, good and bad to go about earning money. The "ignorant one" as Rabbenu Bachya calls him makes three mistakes.
The First Error: He earns his money through "shameful and wicked methods" If he would have been honest and clean about earning the money, he would not only have succeeded in making the money that H'shem had assigned to him he would have reached his "goals and aspirations succeeded in his religious as well as secular affairs and what the Creator had decreed for him would not be diminished in the least." In other words a thief can steal only what H'shem has agreed is his to begin with. The fact that he obtained it by stealing instead of honestly the money will ruin him instead of give him pleasure and a life of happiness. The same is true for someone who chooses to act honestly although around him they are dealing in underhandedness and dishonesty. He will earn exactly what H'shem has promised him and NO ONE can take that away from him. He in turn will be rewarded and be able to enjoy his money as well as all the other benefits life has to offer.
pg 411
The First Error: He earns his money through "shameful and wicked methods" If he would have been honest and clean about earning the money, he would not only have succeeded in making the money that H'shem had assigned to him he would have reached his "goals and aspirations succeeded in his religious as well as secular affairs and what the Creator had decreed for him would not be diminished in the least." In other words a thief can steal only what H'shem has agreed is his to begin with. The fact that he obtained it by stealing instead of honestly the money will ruin him instead of give him pleasure and a life of happiness. The same is true for someone who chooses to act honestly although around him they are dealing in underhandedness and dishonesty. He will earn exactly what H'shem has promised him and NO ONE can take that away from him. He in turn will be rewarded and be able to enjoy his money as well as all the other benefits life has to offer.
pg 411
