Single lesson
Sirach 31: Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest
Sirach 31:1–11; Sirach 31:12–24; Sirach 31:25–31
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. This lesson also brings together Eat considerately and host generously, Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 31: Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest, using two details from the reading. Wealth is presented as a serious test, and this passage praises integrity over the pursuit of gold. This passage teaches that wise table conduct combines self-control, thoughtfulness toward others, and generosity with food. Sirach teaches that wine belongs with moderation, because excess stirs harm and wisdom shows itself in restrained treatment of others.
Welcome: Sirach 31: Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest
5 minIntroduce “Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest”, “Eat considerately and host generously”, “Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions” and locate Sirach 31:1–11; Sirach 31:12–24; Sirach 31:25–31. Wealth is presented as a serious test, and this passage praises integrity over the pursuit of gold. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 31:1, Sirach 31:6, Sirach 31:11
Read and explain the passage
12 minWealth tests integrity and can destroy rest (Sirach 31:1–11): 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.
Eat considerately and host generously (Sirach 31:12–24): The passage begins with someone sitting at “a great table”. Sirach warns against greed in words, eyes, and hands. A person should not speak excitedly about the abundance, stare with a “greedy eye”, or push a hand into the dish wherever desire leads. The emphasis is on restraining appetite and action.
Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions (Sirach 31:25–31): The first saying warns against presenting yourself as strong or impressive because of wine. Sirach gives a blunt reason: wine has destroyed many. The concern is not drink as a badge of courage, but the danger of proud overconfidence around it.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest”, “Eat considerately and host generously”, “Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 31:1, Sirach 31:2, Sirach 31:12, Sirach 31:13, Sirach 31:14, Sirach 31:25
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What shows that riches may become a burden instead of a comfort?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Sirach teaches that wine belongs with moderation, because excess stirs harm and wisdom shows itself in restrained treatment of others. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 31:1, Sirach 31:2, Sirach 31:15, Sirach 31:17, Sirach 31:18, Sirach 31:31
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 31: Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest”, “Eat considerately and host generously”, “Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions” 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 31:1, Sirach 31:16, Sirach 31:31
Closing: return to Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions
3 minRevisit Sirach 31:25–31. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions 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 31:25, Sirach 31:28, Sirach 31:31
Questions to explore
What shows that riches may become a burden instead of a comfort?
Use the words about wakefulness, anxiety and broken sleep.
Sirach 31:1, Sirach 31:2
What actions show consideration for neighbours at the table?
Notice the command to consider your neighbour’s feelings and the instructions about stopping and waiting.
Sirach 31:15, Sirach 31:17, Sirach 31:18
Which actions toward a neighbour are forbidden at the banquet?
List the four commands and consider how each protects peace.
Sirach 31:31
Make, think or respond
Sirach 31: Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest: 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 31:1–11; Sirach 31:12–24; Sirach 31:25–31. Use “Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest”, “Eat considerately and host generously”, “Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions” 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 31: Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest 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 “Wealth tests integrity and can destroy rest”, “Eat considerately and host generously”, “Wine requires moderation and restraint toward companions” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 31:1–11; Sirach 31:12–24; Sirach 31:25–31. 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 31:1–11; Sirach 31:12–24; Sirach 31:25–31. 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 31
1 Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep.
2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.
3 A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things.
4 A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy.
5 He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.
6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face.
7 It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it.
8 Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold.
9 Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people.
10 Who 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?
11 His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms.
12 Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
14 Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.
15 Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point.
16 Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.
17 Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
18 And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them.
19 How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.
20 Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man.
21 And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
22 Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you.
23 People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.
25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud.
27 Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
28 Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul:
29 Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict.
30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds.
31 Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.