Sirach 31:1-16: a reflection

1Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep. 2Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken. 3A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things. 4A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy. 5He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it. 6Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face. 7It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it. 8Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold. 9Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people. 10Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it? 11His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms. 12Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!” 13Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face. 14Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish. 15Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point. 16Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.

This passage speaks candidly about the anxiety that the love of riches brings. Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, it says; anxiety about it takes away sleep. The one who loves gold is not free, but consumed with worry over gathering and keeping it, his sleep broken by anxiety. Riches, loved and pursued, do not bring the peace they promise, but anxiety, sleeplessness, and the loss of rest. The love of money robs the soul of peace.

Notice the anxiety the love of riches brings. Far from bringing peace and security, the pursuit and guarding of wealth breeds anxiety, wakefulness, sleeplessness; the one who loves gold is consumed with worry over it, his rest robbed by the very thing he thought would secure him. The love of money does not give the peace it promises; it takes it away, filling the soul with anxiety and stealing its rest. Riches loved and pursued are a source of anxiety, not peace.

That candid word is worth taking to heart, for we can imagine that wealth will bring us peace and security, and pursue it as the path to a settled soul. But the passage warns that the love of riches breeds anxiety, robs sleep, steals peace; the very pursuit meant to secure us fills us with worry instead. The peace we seek is not found in loving and pursuing wealth, which brings anxiety, but in contentment and trust in God. Do not imagine that wealth, loved and pursued, will bring you the peace and security you seek; the love of riches brings anxiety, not peace, and robs the soul of rest. Seek your peace not in the pursuit of wealth, which steals it, but in contentment and trust in God, who gives the rest that riches cannot. The love of money robs the soul of peace; do not let it rob yours, but find your peace in God and in contentment, rather than in the anxious loving and pursuing of wealth that steals rest and fills the soul with worry, as this passage warns.

Lord, this passage speaks candidly about the anxiety that the love of riches brings: wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh; anxiety about it takes away sleep; the one who loves gold is consumed with worry over gathering and keeping it. Riches, loved and pursued, do not bring the peace they promise, but anxiety, sleeplessness, and the loss of rest. Show me the anxiety the love of riches brings. Far from bringing peace and security, the pursuit and guarding of wealth breeds anxiety, wakefulness; the one who loves gold has his rest robbed by the very thing he thought would secure him. The love of money does not give the peace it promises; it takes it away. Take that candid word to my heart, for I can imagine that wealth will bring me peace and security, and pursue it as the path to a settled soul. But the passage warns that the love of riches breeds anxiety, robs sleep, steals peace. The peace I seek is not found in loving and pursuing wealth, but in contentment and trust in you. Keep me from imagining that wealth, loved and pursued, will bring me the peace and security I seek; the love of riches brings anxiety, not peace. Help me seek my peace not in the pursuit of wealth, which steals it, but in contentment and trust in you, Lord, who give the rest that riches cannot. Give me peace in you and in contentment, not in the anxious pursuit of wealth.