Read & explore together
Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest
Sirach 31:1–11 gives wisdom about money, worry and character. It warns that wealth can disturb rest and lead people into ruin, yet it also honours the rich person who stays blameless and generous.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage from the Catholic additional books is wisdom teaching, not a story. Sirach moves from sleepless anxiety, to the labour of rich and poor, to the danger of loving gold, and then to praise for a wealthy person who passes this test rightly.
Sirach 31:1–11Main takeaway
Wealth is presented as a serious test, and this passage praises integrity over the pursuit of gold.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Riches can steal restSirach begins with the bodily and mental strain tied to riches. Wakefulness from wealth consumes the flesh, and anxiety takes away sleep.
Explanation
Sirach begins with the bodily and mental strain tied to riches. Wakefulness from wealth consumes the flesh, and anxiety takes away sleep. Instead of peace, money can bring restless nights. Verse 2 continues the picture by showing broken sleep and a craving for slumber under distress.
02Rich and poor both toilThe next sayings compare two workers. The rich man toils to gather money and rests filled with good things.
Explanation
The next sayings compare two workers. The rich man toils to gather money and rests filled with good things. The poor man also toils, yet rests in need. Sirach does not praise either condition here. He sets up a contrast that leads into the moral danger surrounding wealth.
03Gold can become a trapSirach then warns plainly about loving gold. Such love is linked with not being justified, with destruction, and with ruin meeting people face to face.
Explanation
Sirach then warns plainly about loving gold. Such love is linked with not being justified, with destruction, and with ruin meeting people face to face. Gold is called a stumbling block, and people can treat it with the devotion they should not give it. Fools are caught by it.
04A blameless rich person is blessedThe passage does not condemn every rich person. It blesses the one found blameless, who does not go after gold.
Explanation
The passage does not condemn every rich person. It blesses the one found blameless, who does not go after gold. That person has been tested and has not transgressed when able to do so. Their prosperity is made sure, and the congregation speaks of their alms, showing remembered generosity.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What shows that riches may become a burden instead of a comfort?
Use the words about wakefulness, anxiety and broken sleep.
02How is loving gold different from simply being rich in this passage?
Compare the warning in verse 5 with the blessing in verse 8.
03Why is the blameless rich person called blessed?
Notice the test in verse 10 and the alms in verse 11.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 31:1–11
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.