The ancient wisdom of Ben Sira, a sage writing over two thousand years ago, knew all about it. He understood the anxieties and struggles we still face today. Let’s dive into one little slice of his wisdom, found in chapter 31 of his book, and see what he has to say about work, rest, and well, maybe a little bit about money too.
Ben Sira starts with a stark observation: "Care for sustenance breaketh off slumber; And sore sickness dissipateth slumber." Think about it. How many nights have you tossed and turned, worried about making ends meet? About providing for your family? That’s the kind of "care for sustenance" he's talking about. And illness? Well, that steals our peace in a different, but equally disruptive, way. It’s a reminder that even the most basic needs can be a source of anxiety.
Then he throws in something about friendship: "Reproach putteth to flight a faithful friend; But he that hideth a secret is beloved as one's soul." What does this have to do with work and rest? Maybe Ben Sira is reminding us that our relationships are also a kind of sustenance. They need care and attention. Trust, especially the ability to keep a secret, is crucial for maintaining those bonds.
Now, let's talk about rich and poor. Ben Sira doesn't pull any punches. "The labour of the rich is to gather wealth; And if he rest, it is to take pleasure." Sounds pretty good, right? But is it really? Is the pursuit of endless wealth truly restful? Perhaps there's a hollowness in that kind of "rest," a constant striving for more that never truly satisfies.
Then he flips the coin: "The poor toileth for the lack of his house; And if he rest, he becometh needy." Ouch. That hits hard. The poor don’t have the luxury of resting without consequences. Their rest can quickly turn into lamentation, into distress. It's a brutal reality.
Ben Sira continues, "The labour of the poor is for the lack of his means; And if he rest, it is to his lamentation (or he is distressed)." It's a constant cycle, a hamster wheel of trying to survive. There's no real freedom, no chance to truly recharge.
Finally, a warning: "He that pursueth after gold shall not be innocent; And he that loveth hire shall err thereby." This isn't just about rich and poor. It's a universal caution. The relentless pursuit of wealth, the love of money above all else, corrupts. It leads us astray. It prevents us from living a truly meaningful, "innocent" life.
So, what's the takeaway from Ben Sira's ancient wisdom? Maybe it’s this: that true rest isn’t just about ceasing physical labor. It's about finding a balance. It's about cultivating meaningful relationships. And above all, it's about recognizing that the pursuit of wealth alone will never bring lasting peace. Maybe, just maybe, knowing that can help us sleep a little better at night.