We do not have to worry whether or not the Book of Tobit is a true record of an actual historical Jewish family in exile. We may read it as a short novel reflecting on the perennial problem of why bad things happen to good people. Tobias suffered an accident that left him blind. His wife Anna was obviously a good person, but Tobias' accident caused her to quarrel with her husband and then to question the value of charitable deeds and virtuous acts if they do not carry over into gentleness towards those closest to oneself and trust in them. Tobias had exercised his piety in burying a dead man, but he did not believe his wife or trust her honesty.

As the story continues, Tobit sends his son Tobias abroad to collect a sum of money held for him by a relative. This little fact turns the story of Tobit into the story of Tobias and his future wife Sarah, who was another good person to whom bad things happened. Tobit's piety reappears in the wise advice he gives to his son. This theme of piety continues in the prayers offered by Tobit and Sarah.