It has some pretty strong words for those of us prone to envy.
"In the eye of a fool," Ben Sira tells us, "his portion is small; but he that taketh his neighbour's portion wasteth his own." Ouch. It's like that old saying about how comparing yourself to others is the thief of joy, right? This verse suggests that focusing on what others have only diminishes what we already possess. We become so preoccupied with what we lack that we fail to appreciate our own blessings.
Then comes the even harsher bit: "The eye of him that hath an evil eye is grudging of bread; and there is famine at his table. An evil eye lavishing bread is as a fountain dried up that should well with water." The "evil eye," or ayin hara, is a concept found throughout Jewish tradition – the idea that negativity and envy can actually bring about misfortune. Here, Ben Sira isn't just talking about being jealous; he's saying that this jealousy creates a kind of spiritual drought. Even when surrounded by abundance (lavishing bread!), the envious person experiences a profound lack. They're like a dried-up well, unable to nourish themselves or others.
So, what's the antidote? Ben Sira offers a surprising piece of advice: "My son, if thou hast wherewithal, minister to thine own self; and if thou hast, do good unto thyself; and according to the power of thy hand, make thyself fat." Now, this isn't a call to gluttony! It's more about self-care and recognizing our own worth. If we have the means, we should take care of ourselves, nurture our well-being. By investing in ourselves, we’re less likely to fall into the trap of envying others.
But there’s a crucial caveat.
Ben Sira concludes with a stark reminder of our mortality: "Remember that there is no luxury in Sheol; and death doth not tarry; and the decree of Sheol hath not been declared to thee." Sheol, in this context, is the land of the dead, the underworld. There are no second chances there, no opportunities to accumulate wealth or status. Death comes for us all, and it doesn’t send a warning.
So, what's the takeaway? Maybe it’s this: Enjoy what you have, take care of yourself, and be generous – not just with your possessions, but with your spirit. Because in the end, it's not about what we accumulate, but about how we live. And how we live, according to Ben Sira, has everything to do with the way we see the world, and the way we treat ourselves and each other.