At that time my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do. When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salary, and also gave her a young goat for the table. On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!" But she said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages." Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners. I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!" (Tobit 2: 11-14)

Tobit's resentment of Anna's bonus could have several sources. He may resent his dependence on her. He might resent her employer's appreciation of her work. He could resent being the recipient rather than the source of charity. Does Tobit resent Anna being rewarded while he is seemingly being punished?

Is Anna's angry retort a fair insight? The comment suggests that Tobit's prior behavior was merely a pious sham. In his resentment of her small success, she suggests, his piety is exposed as self-promoting and self-satisfying. Why is Tobit not ready to celebrate a modest blessing received in the midst of his troubles?

It is as likely that Tobit's prior behavior was authentically virtuous. But he had allowed these very virtues to define his self-identity and relationship with others... even his relationship with God. Tobit is trapped. He has been unwilling or unable to reach beyond his self-imposed limitations to the limitless possibilities of God.

Above is Anna, Tobit, and the Kid by Rembrandt.