Parnassah and the Miracle of the Red Heifer
The word Parnassah - פרנסה (livelihood) - contains the letters of the words נס פרה (the miracle of the heifer). And we know that there are no coincidences or random occurrences in the Torah. The Torah tells of a remarkable miracle associated with the red heifer. The ashes of the red heifer were intended to ritually purify those who had become impure through contact with the dead. However, when a person for whom the ashes were not intended touched them, the effect was reversed: one who was pure became impure.
Likewise, the Parnassah of a person who uses money to sanctify the world and perform good deeds (helping yeshivas and the poor, Hachnasat Kallah, publishing sacred books, building mikvaot, etc.) — his Parnassah elevates him spiritually and purifies him. But the Parnassah of a person whose money is directed solely toward physical indulgences and pleasures, and toward enriching himself (for his own sake, rather than for the sake of the Creator) — this Parnassah brings a person down and makes him impure.
(from the book "The Waters of the Jordan" by Rabbi Tzvi Nisanzon)
