At times one's Parnasa is held from him because of the wickedness of a good man's contemporaries that the Creator, May he be exalted, tries the man with poverty, want, and sickness in order to exhibit his piety and devotion in the service of  GD in contrast to their conduct pg 391

 Another reason why the opportunity to obtain a livelihood without trouble and trial might be withheld from a righteous man is, Sometimes, it is in accordance with the principle of compensation in the World-to-Come or to demonstrate his patience and positive outlook in the service of the Creator, may He be exalted, so that other people might learn from him as is known to you from the case of Iyov. pg 391

 I suggest the following reasons why the opportunity to obtain his livelihood without trouble and trial might be withheld from a righteous man.   It may be the consequence of a previously committed sin for which he is now paying the penalty. pg 389

 One might say  We see some righteous individuals who obtain their livelihood only after hard work and toil, while many transgressors are at ease and pass their lives in prosperity and comfort.  The Prophets and pietists already inquired into this problem. The reason for the trial of each one of the saints and the reason for the prosperity in this world of each one of the wicked differs from that of the other.  Moshe says, " The hidden things belong to H'shem our GD but those that are revealed belong to us and to our children." pg 389

 Since the two reasons for obligating him to do so (search for the means of obtaining a livelihood and other necessities) that have been mentioned, trial and rebellion in the midst of prosperity will have become inapplicable to him.  His livelihood will come to him without trouble or weariness to the extent of his needs and requirements, as it is written "Gd will not let the righteous go hungry" (Mishlei 10:3)                                                                          לעילו נשמת רבי מאיר   

 If, however, a person gives priority to the service of GD and resolves to fear Him trusts in Him in all his interests, religious and secular, turns away from the despicable things, and aspires to good qualities does not rebel when in comfort nor inclined toward leisure is not swayed by his baser instinct nor seduced by the enchanting things of the world then he will be relieved of the burden of seeking and searching for a livelihood. pg 387

 It is out of His mercy for man that the Creator, May He be exalted, preoccupied him with the affairs of the s world and the Hereafter so that all his life he be absorbed in them and not seek what he does not need and can not grasp with this intellect (such as the matters of the beginning an the end of the world). p387

 If man did not have to trouble and busy himself in seeking means of obtaining his livelihood, he would rebel and chase after what is forbidden and would pay no attention to what he owes GD for His goodness to him.  How much more so is this true of one who has no share in either who concentrates on neither of these pursuits. pg387                                                       ראשה תבות תפילה     תרופא פלא ליהודי מאמין

 What the Creator does not decree that he should attain of them, he does not attain, and the means are withheld from him.  His service or sin is demonstrated through his intent on and choice of one to the exclusion of the other, and this then determines reward or punishment even if he does not carry it out in deed. pg 385

 The reason the Creator obliged man to exert himself and search for the means of a livelihood and other necessities is: Divine wisdom demands the trial of the soul with service of GD or rebellion against Him. GD tries the soul with what will reveal its choice in the matter, namely with the need and want for that which is external to it food, drink, clothing, shelter, and relations. He commanded human beings to seek and obtain these requirements through the available means in specific ways and at certain times.  What the Creator decrees a man should attain of them the man realizes and attains through ample means which are provided him. pg 385

 A greater and more strenuous effort must be made if one has to buy the food and then prepare it.   It es even harder if one does not have the money with which to buy food, in which case one has to make a greater effort and take steps more drastic than those mentioned above either hire himself out for a wage or sell precious objects and belongings and the like. May his Zechus bring Yeshuot to all of Am Yisroel. 

 When we contemplate the necessity for man to strive and exert himself in the completion of his affairs, we find this to be obvious.  For when a person needs to eat, and prepared food is placed before him, if he does not employ the necessary steps to eat it by lifting it up to his mouth and chewing it, he will never abate his hunger. The same is true of a thirsty man in need of water and all the more so if one cannot attain food unless he labors to prepare it by grinding kneading baking and so forth.  pg 385

 An example of an immediate cause is the extraction of water from the depths of the earth by means of a wheel with attached buckets, in which water is drawn out of the well. The remote cause is the man who harnesses a beast to the wheel and so makes the wheel revolve, which draws the water from the bottom of the well to the surface. The intermediate means between the man and the buckets are the beast, the pulley that moves each other, and the rope. If anything should go wrong with one of these means, the objective for which they are employed will not be reached. So it is with the other acts that are bought into actuality. They cannot arise from man or anything else, except by the decree of GD and unless He prepares the means for their completion. If the means are entirely lacking, none of the natural activities can be brought into actuality. pg 383