Casting

"Cast your bread upon the waters,

For you will find it after many days.

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,

For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

If the clouds are full of rain,

They empty themselves upon the earth;

And if a tree falls to the south or the north,

In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.

He who observes the wind will not sow,

And he who regards the clouds will not reap." - Ecclesiastes 11:1-4

This passage can be mysterious read through the poetry used. We in this age would be lost to comprehend it the analogies.

The passage is actually about giving to others. "Cast your bread upon the waters" is an analogy regarding sowing rice. Rice and bread are necessities of life. We are even to pray "Give us this day our daily bread", which not only refers to loaves of bread, but to the things we need to survive.

The instruction to give to seven or eight is ended by stating that we don't know what evil will be on the earth. It may be that the very ones we give to will become those we one day need to give us bread. The wheels of fortune often turn.

The clouds drop rain when they're full - regardless of where they are. Rain is an analogy of God's blessings. We don't know when or where He will give them.

Trees when they die, an analogy to the death that faces us all, lie where they die. They can't be helped at that time. And sometimes that death is alone and unexpectedly.

Lastly, Solomon writes: "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap."

Friends, Solomon realizes that many of us look to do good, but don't find the right time. Yet, if you observe the wind, which you cannot control any more than you control your money, health, life, or the day, you may never give! So give without worry.

If you wait till the perfect time do a thing - you'll most likely accomplish nothing.

If you look at those in need and will not give because you're not sure if they are truly in need, you may never give at all. There are many imposters claiming they are in want. But guess what! God put them in YOUR path! If you are diligently trying to divide the impostors from those who have genuine need, in the time it takes you to determine who is on which side, those in need may go hungry, and you will have missed the blessing of giving. Let God sort it out! If they're put in your path, give. Give knowing that your gift is from God and you are giving it back to God through the act of helping others. If it honors God, it is fruitful.

There is no harvest without sowing. Cast your bread upon the waters!