Tobit 1:15-22: a reflection

15And when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his place. In his time, the highways were troubled, and I could no longer go into Media. 16In the days of Enemessar, I did many alms deeds to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry, 17and my garments to the naked. If I saw any of my race dead, and thrown out on the wall of Ninevah, I buried him. 18If Sennacherib the king killed any, when he came fleeing from Judea, I buried them privately; for in his wrath he killed many; and the bodies were sought for by the king, and were not found. 19But one of the Ninevites went and showed to the king concerning me, how I buried them, and hid myself; and when I knew that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear. 20And all my goods were forcibly taken away, and there was nothing left to me, save my wife Anna and my son Tobias. 21No more than fifty five days passed before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. And Sarchedonus his son reigned in his place; and he appointed Achiacharus my brother Anael’s son over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his affairs. 22Achiacharus requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.

Tobit tells his own story simply. In days when it was dangerous to do so, he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and buried the bodies of his own people left exposed, even when a hostile king had forbidden it. When his deeds were reported, he had to flee for his life, and all his goods were seized. His mercy cost him nearly everything he owned.

What stands out is that Tobit does not present this as heroism but as simple faithfulness. He saw a duty of love and did it, quietly, at real risk, because it was right and because it honored God. And though he lost his property, he did not lose what mattered most: his wife, his son, and his integrity. In time his circumstances shifted again, and he was able to return. God did not abandon a man who had risked himself to do good.

Doing the right thing sometimes carries a real cost. You may find that mercy makes you inconvenient, even unsafe, and that faithfulness leaves you poorer in the world's terms. Tobit's example encourages you to do the quiet good anyway, to care for the vulnerable and honor the forgotten, trusting that what you lose in the doing is not the measure of your life. Hold your integrity and those you love, and leave the rest with God.

Lord, Tobit risked his safety and his goods to show mercy and to honor the forgotten, and you did not abandon him. When doing right carries a cost, give me his quiet faithfulness. Let me care for the vulnerable even when it is inconvenient, and hold fast to my integrity and to those you have given me, trusting the rest to you. Amen.