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Verse 17
Theosis · English Bible
Sirach

Sirach 18

Old TestamentTheosis · English Bible

1He that liveth for ever created all things in general. 2The Lord only is righteous. 3He holds the world in the span of His hand, and all obeys His will; for He is King over all with His power, and He separates the sacred from the profane within it. 4To none hath he given power to declare his works; and who shall find out his noble acts? 5Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies? 6As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out. 7When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful. 8What is man, and whereto serveth he; what is his good, and what is his evil? 9The number of a man's days at the most is an hundred years. 10As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravel-stone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity. 11Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. 12He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion. 13The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth, and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock. 14He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments. 15My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing. 16Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so is a word better than a gift. 17Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man. 18A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes. 19Learn before thou speak, and use physic or ever thou be sick. 20Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy. 21Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance. 22Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. 23Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. 24Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face. 25When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need. 26From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord. 27A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time. 28Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her. 29They that had understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables. 30Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites. 31If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee. 32Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof. 33Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse.

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Sirach 18:17

John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom4th century

When people observe someone who is indifferent to material wealth, they quickly assess that individual as capable of managing it. However, I believe that such generosity is insufficient on its own; while it is certainly a fundamental quality, one must also possess another virtue: patience. Patience serves as the foundation of all good things for humanity, guiding the soul to a place of tranquility. Widows, burdened by their lack, age, and societal position, may exhibit a certain inappropriate boldness; they may cry out at the wrong moments, make baseless accusations, express ingratitude, and criticize where they ought to show appreciation. A leader must endure these challenges with fortitude, resisting irritation over misplaced demands or reckless accusations. It is crucial to show compassion towards those women in their struggles rather than adding to their anguish. To respond with cruelty would be to deepen their suffering, exacerbating the hardships of poverty with further insults. Hence, a wise individual, aware of the selfishness and pride inherent in human nature, as well as the humbling effects of poverty, which can compel even the boldest spirit to make repeated appeals, offers guidance. He advises those who hear the pleas of the needy to remain unruffled and, rather than becoming antagonists, to be gentle and responsive to their cries: "incline your ear to the poor man" without distress, "and answer him affectionately, with gentleness" (Sir. 4:8). Shifting focus from the easily provoked individual, the emphasis is instead placed on one who can bear the burdens of the downtrodden. Before giving, it is essential to uplift the needy with kindness and encouraging words. An individual who refrains from taking from widows but instead showers them with scorn not only fails to alleviate their suffering but exacerbates it with their criticisms. Even if circumstances compel them to set aside their dignity, they still mourn the loss of that dignity. When they are driven by hunger to beseech assistance and thus abandon their shame, their persistence can often lead to overwhelming despair. Those who care for the poor should strive to ease their sadness, not amplify it with reproach. Just as an injured person does not appreciate wealth amidst their pain, a person who receives kindness and consolation along with their assistance finds joy, making the gift all the more meaningful. This teaching comes not from my own thoughts but from the wisdom of the one who provided this exhortation.

A kind word can often bring more comfort to the needy than material aid. Thus, recognizing this, we should never harbor anger toward those who seek our help. Instead, if we are capable of addressing their needs, let us do so with joy, as if we are gaining more from them than we are giving. If we are unable to assist, we should not treat them harshly; rather, we can offer at least a gentle word. What cause do we have to be unkind? Are they forcing our hands? They come humbly and plead, and such an approach deserves compassion. Their requests signify countless unspoken favors, yet we hesitate to grant even the smallest assistance. How can we expect mercy from God under such circumstances? What justification will we present when daily we indulge in lavish meals, often beyond our needs, yet turn away from sharing even a little with the less fortunate, thereby neglecting opportunities to gain immeasurable blessings? Oh, how negligent we are! The losses we incur from such indifference are significant. We forfeit countless blessings and deny ourselves the means of salvation provided by God. Instead of recognizing the modesty of our offerings and the immense rewards they can yield, we hoard our wealth, allowing it to corrode, or more accurately, we reserve it for those who would take from us. We let valuable clothing fall prey to moths while we refuse to part with our excess, preventing their potential restoration and the blessings that could result. May we all attain these blessings through the infinite grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power, and honor, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.