Read & explore together
Use possessions generously before life passes
Sirach 14:3–19 warns against clinging tightly to possessions. It contrasts the misery of the miser with the wise use of what a person has, especially while life is still available.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is wisdom teaching spoken as instruction, including the address, “My son”. It moves from describing the stingy and covetous person to urging a better path: enjoy fitting good things, honour the Lord, do good to friends, and remember that death comes to everyone.
Sirach 14:3–19Main takeaway
This passage teaches that hoarding is empty, while using possessions well, generously, and with the reality of death in view is wiser.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The miser cannot truly benefit from richesThe passage begins with sharp questions. Riches do not fit a stingy person, because he will not use them well.
Explanation
The passage begins with sharp questions. Riches do not fit a stingy person, because he will not use them well. A person who denies himself only piles goods up for others. Sirach says such a person does not even enjoy his own possessions, so his wealth fails to serve its purpose.
02Covetousness harms the person who keeps itSirach goes further than saying miserliness is unpleasant. It calls the grudging person evil and says this is a punishment for wickedness.
Explanation
Sirach goes further than saying miserliness is unpleasant. It calls the grudging person evil and says this is a punishment for wickedness. Even apparent good can be exposed as false in the end. The covetous eye is never satisfied, and this unjust attitude dries up the soul and even limits bread at the table.
03Use what you have while you canThe instruction changes to direct counsel: treat yourself well according to what you have, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
Explanation
The instruction changes to direct counsel: treat yourself well according to what you have, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. Death will not wait, so good should not be delayed. The reader is told to do good to friends, give according to ability, and not let fitting joys slip away.
04Life passes, so possessions are temporarySirach reminds the reader that labour and goods will finally pass to someone else. It urges giving and receiving now because Hades is not a place for luxury.
Explanation
Sirach reminds the reader that labour and goods will finally pass to someone else. It urges giving and receiving now because Hades is not a place for luxury. Death belongs to all flesh. Human generations are compared to leaves: some fall, some grow. Human work also decays, and the worker departs.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Sirach describe the inner result of being covetous or miserly?
Look for words about satisfaction, the soul, and the table to see that greed harms the person who keeps it, not only other people.
02What actions does the passage positively urge instead of hoarding?
Notice the direct commands about treating yourself well, bringing offerings to the Lord, doing good to friends, and giving according to your ability.
03Why does Sirach bring up death and fading leaves in this teaching about possessions?
These verses explain that life, labour, and possessions are temporary, so wise use of them should not be endlessly postponed.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 14:3–19
3Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money?
4He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods.
5If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions.
6There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness.
7Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness.
8A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls.
9A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul.
10A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.
11My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
12Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you.
13Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them.
14Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by.
15Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot?
16Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades.
17All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”
18Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born.
19Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it.