Why did Paul profit in the Jewish religion above many of his equals?

Les explains that when Paul says he profited in the Jews' religion above many equals in his own nation, he was probably making more money than most of them. The reason was that he was being more exceedingly zealous of the Traditions. Les emphasizes that religion always banks on Tradition, not doctrine. He adds that this same mentality has not changed in 2,000 years: it is religion and all its demands on unsuspecting people. Les also notes that Saul was proud of his genealogy, likely able to trace it back into the Old Testament economy, and his father must have been a man of influence because he was already a Roman citizen. Paul claimed Roman citizenship by birth, showing something about his father and grandfather. All this comes into play when considering Paul's religious fanaticism.