Cast your bread upon the waters

Today we look at Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

It has been put forward that it talks about giving, investing, having many business ventures, diversification of one's portfolio, having a backup plan etc.. However, one Bible commentator says that 'for more than 18 centuries, there was never any doubt about what was meant here.' This was about giving. Nowadays however, our thoughts goes to business ventures and the like. This is about giving not knowing if you will get anything back in return. It is about generosity. Vs 2 says "Give" yet my NIV study Bible has there that give probably means invest. It has that vs 2 'Probably means “Invest in seven ventures, yes in eight, / for you do not know … ” That is, diversify your efforts because you never know which ventures may fail. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Diversify your undertakings and reduce the risks.' Somehow give turned into invest. Magic?

Investing is more savvy, more interesting, expected returns are tied to it… We like that.

Some quick thoughts:

-God gives us the ability to give because He has blessed us

-There will come a time when we are dead and we cannot give any longer

-if we look for perfect conditions, we will never give 

-we don’t know what our giving will do. It may turn out to bless us in unexpected yet important ways

-he who sows shall reap.  When we sow, as in giving to others then we will reap whatever God desires it to produce in us.

Why cast bread upon the waters?

-well bread sustains and if we have we should share with those who need sustenance (God's plan)

-putting bread into water means we have no desire or expectation of getting it back (giving as it should be)

Giving to the poor and needy is all throughout the Bible.