Fiduciary Duties and Wages in the Book of Tobit

The Book of Tobit includes episodes of fiduciary duties and references to wages. I argue that the financial transactions form part of the narrative discourse that addresses in an immediate way the misfortunes of the characters. The story’s careful attention to metaphors from the world of business projects a divine economy that is dependable. Even when the work may prove burdensome or distressful, as it does for Tobit, those who work for righteousness and truth can truly hope for wages. Financial generosity exemplifies in fact the transactions in the story, portraying a God who is a trustworthy fiduciary, a reliable employer and a generous administrator of the treasury.