For a few chapters now, Sirach has been expanding on the theme of human weakness and our short-lived lives, in contrast to God’s eternal glory.
When God looks at us, he knows we are doomed to die, and he is sorry for us. He offers us his love, he has compassion on us. So we should be like him. Give gifts with kindness, not with a grudging heart.
Then he urges us to examine ourselves, to act rightly before God. Don’t put off your repentance until you‘re on your death bed. You may not get the time. If you know what’s right, why wait before you do it? It’s time for some self-control - let’s not be ruled by our passions, which will make beggars of us.
We should also learn to keep our mouths shut. If people would stop passing on malicious gossip, without checking out whether it’s true first, the world would be a better place. One of the things that Christians can do is use their social media accounts to bless, and not to gossip.
Real wisdom stands out. Even online. Sirach would probably agree.
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