So you will be laying up a good treasure … against the day of necessity: The connector So indicates that what follows is the result of giving alms in verse 8. “This” in Good News Translation‘s model refers back to what is done in verse 8. We may also say “So, giving like this is just like saving money….” Treasure in this verse is used symbolically for “merit” or “goodwill.” If we give alms to poor people, we are storing up goodwill in the hearts of other people, so that if we are ever in dire straits ourselves (the day of necessity), other people will help us. Contemporary English Version captures the meaning nicely with “If you help the poor, then later, when you are in need, others will help you” (compare Sir 29.11-13).

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Tobit. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.