Daniel 2:20-21
Torah emphasizes the centrality of humility and the repugnance of vanity.
Rabbi Akiva once went into the market to find a buyer for a precious stone. A man who was dressed shabbily and was sitting
among the riff-raff said he wished to buy it. Rabbi Akiva thought he was mocking him. He led Rabbi Akiva to a huge mansion.
As he approached, a uniformed servant brought out a gold chair for him. He sent for money and bought the precious stone.
The servants set a table for Rabbi Akiva and served him a sumptuous meal. "I don't understand this," Rabbi Akiva said.
"If you are so wealthy, why do you associate with the beggars?"
He answered, "Rabbi, my wealth could easily go to my head and make me think I am better than the poor. We were all created
equals. For some reason, YHVH saw fit to bless me with great wealth. I associate with the poor so that my wealth not makes
me vain.
"Furthermore," the man continued, "the world is cyclical. Today I am wealthy; tomorrow I may be a pauper. If that happens,
I have my place reserved among the poor."