Daily Chizuk #1251

Regarding parnasa, a person is obligated to make a normal effort in order to make money to support his family. The Chovot HaLevavot in the Shaar HaBitachon writes that this hishtadlut is considered a mitzvah. And therefore, a person should have in mind before going to work that he is going to do the will of Hashem and fulfill the mitzvah of hishtadlut. In general, Shulchan Aruch rules that mitzvot require kavana, and especially a mitzvah like this which does not appear to be a mitzvah. In order for a person to get the credit for doing the mitzvah, he needs to have intentions that he is doing it for the sake of the mitzvah.
We have a responsibility of hishtadlut and it is a mitzvah to do, but only if it would be considered a normal effort. Once it becomes abnormal, we are exempt and can completely rely on Hashem.