Sirach 14:3 - Riches are not comely for a niggard; And what should an envious man do with money?
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What does "Sirach 14:3" mean?
This verse from Sirach 14:3 is a pithy statement about the incompatibility of certain character flaws with the potential benefits of wealth. Let's break it down:
"Riches are not comely for a niggard..." "Niggard" here refers to a miserly or stingy person. "Comely" means fitting, appropriate, or becoming. The idea is that wealth doesn't look good or appropriate on someone who is tightfisted and unwilling to share or use it generously. Wealth is often associated with generosity and benefiting others; a miser undermines this association. Riches are meant to be shared and put into circulation, not hoarded uselessly.
"...And what should an envious man do with money?" An envious man is someone who is resentful and jealous of the possessions or success of others. The verse poses a rhetorical question. What good is money to someone consumed by envy? Their envy will likely be intensified by their own wealth or their neighbor's greater wealth, leading to dissatisfaction, bitterness, and an inability to appreciate what they have. They will always be focused on what they lack, rather than being content with what they possess.
In essence, the verse is saying that certain character flaws make it impossible to truly benefit from wealth or be happy with it. It highlights the importance of character and a proper attitude towards wealth, suggesting that it's better to be generous and content than rich and miserly or envious. The verse underscores that wealth alone does not guarantee happiness or a good life, and that certain character flaws can actually make wealth a curse rather than a blessing.
Sirach 14:3 - Riches are not comely for a niggard; And what should an envious man do with money?
What does "Sirach 14:3" mean?
This verse from Sirach 14:3 is a pithy statement about the incompatibility of certain character flaws with the potential benefits of wealth. Let's break it down:
"Riches are not comely for a niggard..." "Niggard" here refers to a miserly or stingy person. "Comely" means fitting, appropriate, or becoming. The idea is that wealth doesn't look good or appropriate on someone who is tightfisted and unwilling to share or use it generously. Wealth is often associated with generosity and benefiting others; a miser undermines this association. Riches are meant to be shared and put into circulation, not hoarded uselessly.
"...And what should an envious man do with money?" An envious man is someone who is resentful and jealous of the possessions or success of others. The verse poses a rhetorical question. What good is money to someone consumed by envy? Their envy will likely be intensified by their own wealth or their neighbor's greater wealth, leading to dissatisfaction, bitterness, and an inability to appreciate what they have. They will always be focused on what they lack, rather than being content with what they possess.
In essence, the verse is saying that certain character flaws make it impossible to truly benefit from wealth or be happy with it. It highlights the importance of character and a proper attitude towards wealth, suggesting that it's better to be generous and content than rich and miserly or envious. The verse underscores that wealth alone does not guarantee happiness or a good life, and that certain character flaws can actually make wealth a curse rather than a blessing.