Ecclesiastes 11

Last week a quick trip down a long road; this week, a slow trip down a shorter one

We’ll go thought-by-thought

A Call to Charity

V. 1 Casting bread upon the waters

Isaac of Nineveh, 7th century ascetic:

Ecclesiastes through the Centuries Wise Conduct in the Light of Uncertainty: 9:13–11:6

When you give, give generously, with a joyous countenance, and give more than you are asked for, since it is said, ‘Send forth your morsel of bread toward the face of the poor man, and soon you will find your recompense.’ Do not separate the rich from the poor or try to discriminate the worthy from the unworthy, but let all persons be equal in your eyes for a good deed.

American writer/poet, Louise Erdrich, still living:

Ecclesiastes through the Centuries Wise Conduct in the Light of Uncertainty: 9:13–11:6

If I were to choose a passage most valuable to me from Ecclesiastes, I wouldn’t choose the face-to-the-wall, sulking all is weariness, the soul cannot utter it, and there is nothing new under the sun. I’d choose the line that has something to do with trusting an instinct for generosity, Cast thy bread upon the waters. For the image of a man or a woman standing in a boat or on the shore and throwing bread at the waves makes no sense and yet speaks volumes, as does the best poetry

A Call to Diversity and Diligence

VV. 2-6

Not the political hot-button, diversity, equity, inclusion of the current culture

V. 2: Spreading your wealth around to enable survival in a multitude of different situations

V.3: We have no control over the forces of nature—plan for that

V.4: Don’t make excuses for not getting to the tasks at hand

V. 5: We don’t have all the answers—many things will/can never know

V.6: Even a lot of good farmers have “side-hustles” to make a few extra bucks to bank for the rainy day

A Call to Reflection

VV. 7-10

V. 7: Enjoy the light…whatever is put before you, while you have it

Vv. 8 & 9: Deal with the realities of aging, enjoy each season for what it is, as it will pass

V. 10: Don’t focus on the temporal things