Context No. 2542 of 4322 · Tobit

Tobit 5:16-22: in context

16And so they agreed. And he said to Tobias, “Prepare yourself for the journey. May God prosper you.” So his son prepared what was needful for the journey, and his father said to him, “Go with this man; but God, who dwells in heaven, will prosper your journey. May his angel go with you.” Then they both departed, and the young man’s dog went with them. 17But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent away our child? Isn’t he the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us? 18Don’t be greedy to add money to money; but let it be as refuse compared to our child. 19For what the Lord has given us to live is enough for us.” 20Tobit said to her, “Don’t worry, my sister. He will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him. 21For a good angel will go with him. His journey will be prospered, and he will return safe and sound.” 22So she stopped weeping.

Tobias sets out on his long journey with his companion, unaware the man is the angel Raphael, and even the family dog goes along. But his mother Anna weeps as he leaves. Why have you sent our child away, she asks Tobit, when he is the staff of our hand? Do not heap money on money; let it be as nothing compared to our child. Tobit comforts her: do not worry, a good angel will go with him; he will return safe and sound.

Two hearts are on display. Anna's grief at releasing her son into danger is the ache of every parent who must let a loved one go where they cannot protect them, and her values are clear: the boy is worth more than all the money the trip is for. Money is nothing next to our child. And Tobit answers her fear not with denial but with trust: a good angel goes with him. Neither of them can guard the boy on the road, but they can entrust him to the God whose angel travels with him. Releasing those we love into risk is one of the hardest acts of faith.

Can I release the people I love into God's keeping when I cannot protect them, trusting that he goes with them, and do I value them over the money?

Sources

Tobit 5:17: Anna his mother wept, and said, Why have you sent away our child? Isn't he the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?
Tobit 5:18: Don't be greedy to add money to money; but let it be as refuse compared to our child.
Tobit 5:21: Don't worry, my sister. For a good angel will go with him. His journey will be prospered, and he will return safe and sound.