Spiritual growth: The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy is over all that is glorious. Ben Sira 40:27

The teacher of wisdom Ben Sira spoke in his book about the various kinds of goods, and to teach about the importance of spiritual growth he highlighted among all the goods of man the spiritual gift of fear of God.
While it is true that man needs a series of goods to be happy, for example, friendship, wealth, health; it is also true that there is a hierarchy in them. And the sapiential books are clear on this subject, the mother of all good things in man is the fear of God; and this is so because when men build on this gift, they are building on good foundations, like a house built on rock and not on mud or sand. The spiritual gift of fear of God is defined as constancy, firmness, devotion, equanimity, and stability.
When a society fails to teach this gift, that society is doomed to failure and ruin; and history gave clear examples on this issue, the Babylonian and Assyrian empires, which founded their power on force and fear, became extinct in the same way. Not in vain did Moses teach: "Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name" Deuteronomy 6:13.
The fear of God leads men on the correct path and its development in the hearts of men is like the sun rising at dawn. And those who have this gift have the most important thing, like David and Solomon, who achieved glory and immortality with this gift.
This is why Master Ben Sira wrote wisely about the issue:
"A friend and a neighbor are timely guides,
but better than either, a sensible wife.
Relatives and helpers for times of stress;
but better than either, charity that rescues.
Gold and silver make one's way secure,
but better than either, sound judgment.
Wealth and vigor make the heart exult,
but better than either, fear of God.
In the fear of the Lord there is no want;
whoever has it need seek no other support.
The fear of God is a paradise of blessings;
its canopy is over all that is glorious" Ben Sira 40:23-27.

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