Sirach 11:19 - When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods; Yet he knows not what time will pass, And he will leave them to others, and die.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Sirach 11:19" mean?
Sirach 11:19, "When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods; Yet he knows not what time will pass, And he will leave them to others, and die," speaks to the futility of focusing solely on earthly possessions and the illusion of security they provide, especially when ignoring the inevitability of death.
Let's break it down:
"When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods": This describes someone who has achieved a level of material comfort and believes they can now relax and enjoy their wealth. They feel secure and settled, assuming their good fortune will continue. They are focused on indulging in their possessions. This person is complacent, thinking only of present comfort and future enjoyment based solely on material wealth.
"Yet he knows not what time will pass": This is the crucial turning point. The person is ignorant or disregards the uncertainty of life. They fail to recognize that time is fleeting and unpredictable. They are blind to the potential for unforeseen circumstances (illness, loss, disaster) that could disrupt their comfort.
"And he will leave them to others, and die": This highlights the ultimate truth: death is inevitable. All the accumulated wealth and comfort will ultimately be left behind for others to inherit or acquire. The person's preoccupation with material possessions becomes meaningless in the face of their own mortality. They cannot take their wealth with them.
In essence, the verse is a warning against:
Materialism: It cautions against placing too much emphasis on accumulating wealth and possessions as the primary source of happiness and security.
Complacency: It discourages a false sense of security based solely on material wealth, leading to a neglect of more important things such as spiritual growth, relationships, and preparing for death.
Shortsightedness: It points out the folly of focusing only on the present and ignoring the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of the future.
The underlying message is about:
Humility: Recognizing that life is transient and we are not in ultimate control.
Perspective: Prioritizing what truly matters in life, which goes beyond material possessions.
Moderation: Enjoying the fruits of our labor but not becoming enslaved by them.
Preparation: Living a life that is meaningful and focused on things that have lasting value, rather than just accumulating material wealth that will eventually be left behind.
This verse is a common theme in wisdom literature, reminding us to live with a sense of purpose and awareness of our mortality, rather than being consumed by the pursuit of wealth and comfort. It calls for a balanced approach to life, where material possessions are viewed in proper perspective, secondary to the more enduring aspects of existence.
Sirach 11:19 - When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods; Yet he knows not what time will pass, And he will leave them to others, and die.
What does "Sirach 11:19" mean?
Sirach 11:19, "When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods; Yet he knows not what time will pass, And he will leave them to others, and die," speaks to the futility of focusing solely on earthly possessions and the illusion of security they provide, especially when ignoring the inevitability of death.
Let's break it down:
"When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods": This describes someone who has achieved a level of material comfort and believes they can now relax and enjoy their wealth. They feel secure and settled, assuming their good fortune will continue. They are focused on indulging in their possessions. This person is complacent, thinking only of present comfort and future enjoyment based solely on material wealth.
"Yet he knows not what time will pass": This is the crucial turning point. The person is ignorant or disregards the uncertainty of life. They fail to recognize that time is fleeting and unpredictable. They are blind to the potential for unforeseen circumstances (illness, loss, disaster) that could disrupt their comfort.
"And he will leave them to others, and die": This highlights the ultimate truth: death is inevitable. All the accumulated wealth and comfort will ultimately be left behind for others to inherit or acquire. The person's preoccupation with material possessions becomes meaningless in the face of their own mortality. They cannot take their wealth with them.
In essence, the verse is a warning against:
Materialism: It cautions against placing too much emphasis on accumulating wealth and possessions as the primary source of happiness and security.
Complacency: It discourages a false sense of security based solely on material wealth, leading to a neglect of more important things such as spiritual growth, relationships, and preparing for death.
Shortsightedness: It points out the folly of focusing only on the present and ignoring the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of the future.
The underlying message is about:
Humility: Recognizing that life is transient and we are not in ultimate control.
Perspective: Prioritizing what truly matters in life, which goes beyond material possessions.
Moderation: Enjoying the fruits of our labor but not becoming enslaved by them.
Preparation: Living a life that is meaningful and focused on things that have lasting value, rather than just accumulating material wealth that will eventually be left behind.
This verse is a common theme in wisdom literature, reminding us to live with a sense of purpose and awareness of our mortality, rather than being consumed by the pursuit of wealth and comfort. It calls for a balanced approach to life, where material possessions are viewed in proper perspective, secondary to the more enduring aspects of existence.