Single lesson
Sirach 14: Use possessions generously before life passes
Sirach 14:3–19
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.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 14: Use possessions generously before life passes, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that hoarding is empty, while using possessions well, generously, and with the reality of death in view is wiser.
Welcome: Sirach 14: Use possessions generously before life passes
5 minIntroduce “Use possessions generously before life passes” and locate Sirach 14:3–19. This passage teaches that hoarding is empty, while using possessions well, generously, and with the reality of death in view is wiser. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 14:3, Sirach 14:11, Sirach 14:19
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Use possessions generously before life passes”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 14:3, Sirach 14:4, Sirach 14:5, Sirach 14:11, Sirach 14:12, Sirach 14:13, Sirach 14:14, Sirach 14:15, Sirach 14:16, Sirach 14:17, Sirach 14:18, Sirach 14:19
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How does Sirach describe the inner result of being covetous or miserly?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage teaches that hoarding is empty, while using possessions well, generously, and with the reality of death in view is wiser. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 14:9, Sirach 14:10, Sirach 14:11, Sirach 14:13, Sirach 14:16, Sirach 14:12, Sirach 14:17, Sirach 14:18, Sirach 14:19
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 14: Use possessions generously before life passes: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Use possessions generously before life passes” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 14:3, Sirach 14:11, Sirach 14:19
Closing: return to Use possessions generously before life passes
3 minRevisit Sirach 14:3–19. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Use possessions generously before life passes and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 14:3, Sirach 14:11, Sirach 14:19
Questions to explore
How 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.
Sirach 14:9, Sirach 14:10
What 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.
Sirach 14:11, Sirach 14:13, Sirach 14:16
Why 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.
Sirach 14:12, Sirach 14:17, Sirach 14:18, Sirach 14:19
Make, think or respond
Sirach 14: Use possessions generously before life passes: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 14:3–19. Use “Use possessions generously before life passes” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Sirach 14: Use possessions generously before life passes connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Use possessions generously before life passes” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 14:3–19. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 14:3–19. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 14
3 Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money?
4 He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods.
5 If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions.
6 There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness.
7 Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness.
8 A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls.
9 A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul.
10 A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.
11 My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
12 Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you.
13 Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them.
14 Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by.
15 Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot?
16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades.
17 All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”
18 Like 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.
19 Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.