Ecclesiastes 11

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

In this chapter we have, 1. A profiling exhortation to work of charity, as the best cure of the twenty which our worldly riches are subject to, and the only way of making them turn to a substantial good account, ver. 1—6. 2. A fervent admiration to prepare for death and judgment, and to begin bitterness, even in the days of our youth to do so, ver. 7—10.

1. CAST thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2. Give a portion to feven, and also to eight; for thou knoweth not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or towards the north in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4. He that obsereth the wind, shall not sow: and he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reap. 5. As thou knoweth not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knoweth not the works of God who maketh all. 6. In the morning sow thy feed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knoweth not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

The great blessing of abundance, and proper employment of it, is to use it in relieving the necessities of the indigent.

1. Solomon exhorts to liberality. Cast thy bread upon the waters, upon the multitude of poor objects, on many of whom it may seem left, as what is cast into the sea; but, like ships of merchandise, the return made shall amply repay the venture: for thou shalt shalt it after many days; the blessing of God shall often restore it with increase in this world, at least in a better we shall reap the fruits of our benevolence. Give a portion to feven, not complaining of the number who seek relief, but also to eight; even to as many as through their indigence call for a supply, and our ability enables us to ask them; for thou knoweth not what evil shall be upon the earth, and therefore, instead of making that a reason for withholding the needful assistance, we should be careful to make a good use of what we have, whilst we have it, and what our hand findeth to do, do it with our might.

2. He urges the duty by several considerations taken from the objects around us, and answers the objections which the niggard heart might make.

(1.) If the clouds be full of rain, they do not reserve their contents, but empty themselves upon the earth; so should the rich water with their bounty all around them.

(2.) If a tree fall towards the south, or towards the north, either the seed that grows into a tree, or the stock, when it is felled, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall be he, freely producing fruit for those who come to gather it; or when by death we are cut down as a tree, we can do good no longer; and therefore should now, whilst we have opportunity, improve the moment: nor should the unworthiness of the object discourage us; if we give in real charity, we shall not lose our reward.

(3.) We must not be deterred by the fears of want which may happen to ourselves, and by seeming future difficulties be discouraged from present duty. If every blast of wind, or flying cloud, discouraged the hushman, he would neither sow his ground, nor reap his harvest.

(4.) Though we may not see how God will repay us for what is expended in his service, yet shall it infallibly be done. We know not whence the wind cometh, or whither it goeth, how the soul is united to the body, or the heart grow in the womb of her that is with child, and a thousand things in the ways of providence are equally mysterious to us. But though we know not the manner of his operation, we feel and see the effects: and so shall we receive a return from him of what is in charity lent to him.

(5.) We Before Chill 872.

(5.) We shall finally reap, if we faint not. With indefatigable diligence our duty to labour, and trust God for the success; we know not which of our works of faith and labours of love shall most prosper, either those of the morning of youth, or the evening of age, and may hope that both shall be alike good; watered with the dew of the divine benediction, and producing a plentiful harvest, either in time or in eternity.

g Job use, 6a. b Blum. ex. 7b.