Modesty in the Workplace

Jewish Ethicist
Modestly in Judaism, is not restricted to matters of dress or the intermingling of the sexes. It applies equally to patterns of consumption and relieves the pressure on people to increase their wealth. Such pressures create a society that is the antithesis of Judaism since it intensifies social rifts, makes materialism the sole focus of life, and causes people to accept immoral ways of earning money, when other ways fail.
As befits the descendants of Avraham our role models are different from those of Bilaam. "The Talmid Chakham provides for his family according to his means, without excessive devotion to this. His clothing should neither be that of kings [fashion trendsetters] nor that of poor people" (Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Deot, chapter 5,halakhot 2,4-13). This codified the verse in the Tanach, "You shall walk modestly before HaShem" (Michah 6:8).
"Go to the ant you sluggard" (Proverbs 6:6), is hailed as a good message for us to be diligent, work hard and devote ourselves to wealth creation. Yet the Rabbis saw this as a message to be avoided, since it is the epitome of foolishness and wasted endeavor." The ant lives only for one season and eats only two grains of wheat. Yet it labors ceaselessly to amass a fortune.