Straight thinking says that it makes more sense to love one’s self more than his money. Better parched bread in peace and serenity than vast riches that comes with toil [and trouble]. If Hashem has indeed given a person wealth, let him use his money to afford him physical comfort and let him not labor in this world merely for the sake of greater profit. Let him act kindly towards his body—provided that he not be among those who indulge in wine and meat, devour delicacies, or frequently go on extended excursions. For all these destroy everything from body to soul. Even more than these, beware of anger, for it says, Remove anger from your heart, and remove evil from your flesh (Koheles 11:10).
One who takes no precautions against those things that may hurt his body is an enemy to himself and, in effect, he seeks his own harm. In the future he will have to face judgment for [his negligence], for if injuring another person is considered a sin, than all the more so one who injures himself commits a sin. All the more so does one need to be cautious in a situation where there is even the slightest possibility of danger to life. And if a person [actually] places himself in a dangerous place for [merely] monetary gain, it shows that he cherishes money more than his life! Even if he is saved [from that danger] by miracle, [Heaven] reduces the merit that had been due him. Thus, the person has sold his merits and the good that had been reserved for him in the World to Come—the reward due for fulfilling mitzvos—in exchange for some trifle of fleeting money. He will also be duly punished [for his recklessness]. Therefore, the more one can minimize foreseeable dangers, using whatever monetary or other means he has, the more he will be rewarded. The fulfillment of the mitzvah of Watch yourselves very carefully (Devarim 4:15) is sufficient to protect and save him from any trouble and to bestow a blessing upon his home. He will be whole in his body and his possessions.
