And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Mo᾽av with him. And Balaq said to him, What has the Lord spoken? (Bamidbar 23:17)

RASHI: WHAT HAS THE LORD SPOKEN? — This was a language of mockery, as if to say, “You are not your own master” (Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 13).

A simple man inherited $10,000 and sought guidance from a financial advisor before any every investment decision. The advisor consistently recommended the most profitable options, leading the man to extreme wealth. Over time, he began to believe that he himself had a natural aptitude to make good investment decisions. One day someone offered him a business deal. He responded, “Let me consult my financial advisor first”. The other person derided him, saying, “Can’t you decide on your own?” Stung by the taunt, the man felt pressured to prove his business acumen, and he invest without advice — and the deal failed.

In a similar scenario, another man was put to the same test. But when mocked, he said, “Say what you will – I am still consulting my advisor.”

A third fellow was in the same situation, but over the years he had studied business himself. When he was offered the deal, he confidently made his own decision.

We typically admire the third man most, respect the second, and view the first fellow negatively for not recognizing his own lack of business acumen.

The Torah (23:17) recounts Balak asking Bilam, “What did Hashem say?” Rashi citing Chazal notes that Balak was mocking Bilam, “You have to ask Hashem? You can’t decide on your own?”

Reb Itzele Volozhiner (1780 –1849, the son of Reb Chaim Volozhiner) explains that Balak was suggesting that Bilam actually had no power. This reminds me of a Chassidshe Rebbe who had his Gabbai deliver his decisions to the chassidim. If at some point the Gabbai assumes that he himself is on the same level as the Rebbe and could make his own decisions, he risks not only his role as Gabbai, but also could cause damage to others.

Though Bilam was given a great amount of power by Hashem, it was imperative that he understood that he didn’t have a right to make any decisions on his own. This was his test: curse or bless independently, or was he bound to follow Hashem will?

On a simple level, Bilam deciding for himself might seem greater, but in reality, true greatness lies in being the trusted “mouthpiece” of Hashem. In regard to our case above, it is true that the third person’s self-reliance is often admirable. But if the advisor was the world’s greatest, then the second person – who humbly seeks guidance – is the wisest one.

The late philanthropist Moshe Reichman once remarked that success in business is 97% Divine assistance (siata dishmaya), and 3% business skill (hishtadlus). He then added that the 3% is not essential, and often hinders more than it helps.

When we succeed, we often say, “It is all from Hashem.” I believe that the more we actually internalize this truth, the greater we become.