Greater is the merit of a poor man who returns a lost object to its owners than a rich man (who returns a lost object).¹ The punishment of the rich man who does not return the lost object is more severe than that of the poor man. Merit corresponds to the sacrifice involved² and the goodness of the thought. If he thought to merit the multitude but is unable to do so because they do not listen to him, Scripture regards it as if he actually merited for them.³ “For he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all” (Eccl. 7:18).

footnotes: ¹ Pesahim 113a. ² Aboth 5:26. ³ Berakoth 6a.