Sirach 29:8 - Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering; And let him not wait for your alms.
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What does "Sirach 29:8" mean?
Sirach 29:8 is a verse from the Book of Sirach, a book of wisdom literature found in the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. This verse is essentially advising the reader to be patient and generous towards a poor person, but also to avoid letting them become overly dependent on charity. Let's break down its meaning:
"Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering;": This part means "Be patient and understanding with a poor person." "Poor estate" refers to someone in a state of poverty or hardship. "Longsuffering" implies showing patience, tolerance, and forbearance. It's a call to treat the poor with kindness and understanding, not judgment or disdain.
"And let him not wait for your alms.": This part is a bit more nuanced. "Alms" refers to charitable giving. The phrase warns against making a poor person excessively dependent on charity. It's saying, in essence, don't let them just sit around waiting for you to give them handouts. The intention isn't to withhold help, but to encourage self-reliance and dignity.
Therefore, the verse as a whole suggests a balanced approach to helping the poor:
Be patient and understanding. Don't be quick to judge someone struggling with poverty.
Offer assistance, but do so in a way that promotes independence. Help them get back on their feet rather than simply keeping them dependent on handouts.
The verse highlights the importance of providing support while also respecting the dignity of the poor and encouraging them to work towards self-sufficiency. It is suggesting a method of giving that empowers the recipient rather than perpetuating dependency.
Sirach 29:8 - Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering; And let him not wait for your alms.
What does "Sirach 29:8" mean?
Sirach 29:8 is a verse from the Book of Sirach, a book of wisdom literature found in the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. This verse is essentially advising the reader to be patient and generous towards a poor person, but also to avoid letting them become overly dependent on charity. Let's break down its meaning:
"Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering;": This part means "Be patient and understanding with a poor person." "Poor estate" refers to someone in a state of poverty or hardship. "Longsuffering" implies showing patience, tolerance, and forbearance. It's a call to treat the poor with kindness and understanding, not judgment or disdain.
"And let him not wait for your alms.": This part is a bit more nuanced. "Alms" refers to charitable giving. The phrase warns against making a poor person excessively dependent on charity. It's saying, in essence, don't let them just sit around waiting for you to give them handouts. The intention isn't to withhold help, but to encourage self-reliance and dignity.
Therefore, the verse as a whole suggests a balanced approach to helping the poor:
Be patient and understanding. Don't be quick to judge someone struggling with poverty.
Offer assistance, but do so in a way that promotes independence. Help them get back on their feet rather than simply keeping them dependent on handouts.
The verse highlights the importance of providing support while also respecting the dignity of the poor and encouraging them to work towards self-sufficiency. It is suggesting a method of giving that empowers the recipient rather than perpetuating dependency.