I'm a responsible person who works hard and cares for my family. But I read in the Satcharitra that this could be a form of ignorance. This is confusing and honestly a bit discouraging. What does it mean?

This is a common and important question that Chapter 50 of the Sai Satcharitra tackles directly. The text clarifies that if a person's mind is constantly fixed on wealth and luxury, is unsatisfied in sense enjoyment, and is always preoccupied with thoughts of their wife and children, their "knowledge is only ignorance." It's not that caring for family is wrong, but that when attachment and delusion blind a person to their own ultimate spiritual welfare, even if they are considered "wise" by worldly standards, they are operating from a place of ignorance. Chapter 50 stresses that without devotion, this kind of worldly knowledge remains covered by ignorance.