Cast they bread upon the waters

Cast they bread upon the waters

Scripture:- Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. Ecclesiastes 11:1-3

Observation:- In this portion of Ecclesiastes, we see a curious series of sayings. The first part exhorts us to cast our bread on water as we will find it again after many days. What happens when we throw bread on water? The bread may float for a while, but fish of the sea or birds of the air will quickly come and feast on the bread. However, Solomon writes that after many days, bread will come back to us again. What does this mean? Won’t the bread be gone forever? However, when we look deeper, there is an underlying principle that whatever we give away to the poor will come back to us again. Later Paul taught the same “Whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whosoever sows generously will also reap generously”. When we give generously to others out of a heart of compassion, God has written a law in nature, that we will also be blessed back. The Psalmist writes “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak, the Lord delivers him in times of trouble” and the Proverbs say “but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he” and “he that hath pity on the poor lends to the Lord”. Interestingly, even financial guru Robert Kiyosaki believes in the principle of the blessings associated with giving and encourages his readers to give to the poor. The blessings could very well be financial, but more importantly in other areas such as health, spiritual maturity and peace.

The second proverb exhorts us to give a portion to seven or eight, not knowing what may befall us in the future. This brings to mind Jesus’ teaching on the parable of the shrewd manager which teaches us to use our worldly wealth to gain friends for ourselves. The general teaching is the same, to be generous and help others whenever we can, as we never know when we might need help in return.

The final part gives us a picture of clouds full of rain and a falling tree. The clouds of full of rain speak of the blessings that we store up as we do good and help others. It may take some time, but eventually, the clouds will pour forth rains of blessings upon us. The direction of the falling tree also has the same meaning. If we persistently do good and give to others, our deeds will fall towards blessing, but if we do otherwise, the consequence is also likewise opposite.

Some people may point to ill that befalls good people and blessings that befalls bad people. However, like the rain in the clouds, the blessings will come to those who do good, if not in this life, then in the life to come, and the same is true vice versa.

Application: We should therefore strive to give generously and help those who are in need for this stores up blessings for us in God’s eyes. In regard to salvation, there is nothing we can or cannot do to earn it but it is only faith in Jesus Christ that can save us. However, when we base our actions and deeds in faith and belief in the Bible, we will be blessed.

Prayer: Lord, help me have faith and be generous to others just as You are so generous to me. Let my ways be helpful and giving, that I may be a good testimon

Cast they bread upon the waters

Scripture:- Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. Ecclesiastes 11:1-3

Observation:- In this portion of Ecclesiastes, we see a curious series of sayings. The first part exhorts us to cast our bread on water as we will find it again after many days. What happens when we throw bread on water? The bread may float for a while, but fish of the sea or birds of the air will quickly come and feast on the bread. However, Solomon writes that after many days, bread will come back to us again. What does this mean? Won’t the bread be gone forever? However, when we look deeper, there is an underlying principle that whatever we give away to the poor will come back to us again. Later Paul taught the same “Whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whosoever sows generously will also reap generously”. When we give generously to others out of a heart of compassion, God has written a law in nature, that we will also be blessed back. The Psalmist writes “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak, the Lord delivers him in times of trouble” and the Proverbs say “but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he” and “he that hath pity on the poor lends to the Lord”. Interestingly, even financial guru Robert Kiyosaki believes in the principle of the blessings associated with giving and encourages his readers to give to the poor. The blessings could very well be financial, but more importantly in other areas such as health, spiritual maturity and peace.

The second proverb exhorts us to give a portion to seven or eight, not knowing what may befall us in the future. This brings to mind Jesus’ teaching on the parable of the shrewd manager which teaches us to use our worldly wealth to gain friends for ourselves. The general teaching is the same, to be generous and help others whenever we can, as we never know when we might need help in return.

The final part gives us a picture of clouds full of rain and a falling tree. The clouds of full of rain speak of the blessings that we store up as we do good and help others. It may take some time, but eventually, the clouds will pour forth rains of blessings upon us. The direction of the falling tree also has the same meaning. If we persistently do good and give to others, our deeds will fall towards blessing, but if we do otherwise, the consequence is also likewise opposite.

Some people may point to ill that befalls good people and blessings that befalls bad people. However, like the rain in the clouds, the blessings will come to those who do good, if not in this life, then in the life to come, and the same is true vice versa.

Application: We should therefore strive to give generously and help those who are in need for this stores up blessings for us in God’s eyes. In regard to salvation, there is nothing we can or cannot do to earn it but it is only faith in Jesus Christ that can save us. However, when we base our actions and deeds in faith and belief in the Bible, we will be blessed.

Prayer: Lord, help me have faith and be generous to others just as You are so generous to me. Let my ways be helpful and giving, that I may be a good testimony and glorify Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.

y and glorify Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.