Part 14: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
Notes
Transcript
Ecclesiastes, Part 14 – 11:1-6
One of the things the teacher has told us over and over is
that life is unpredictable. As recently as last week:
Ecclesiastes
10:8-9 - The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks
through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 The one who
quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered
by them.
None of us knows what tomorrow holds.
4 times in this passage the
teacher says “you don't know”
How do we know what to do when life is so uncertain? We
all have limited resources. How do we deal with that alone in certain world?
So, what will we do with what we have?
·
Do we hide it all away in the mattresses?
·
Do we spend recklessly, throwing caution to the
wind?
·
Do we invest it?
ILLUS: We’ve been looking at our investments and retirement
account. Our CPA said that for us to get where we needed to be, we needed to
invest more aggressively. Created a feeling of anxiety.
Do you ever feel anxiety
when you give something away, or when you think of the cost of living, or where
there is a call to give, especially when it involves a real sacrifice?
One of the things we see is how the Word of God is practical
to real life.
This is a passage that can be dangerous – it can be used to
advance a prosperity gospel. Our goal is
to look at this passage in light of the life the Gospel calls us to live.
The bottom line to everything we are going to
say today is that God
owns everything.
Gives us means to generate income and sometimes wealth at his
discretion. Paul tells us
that God gives us all
things to enjoy, but that we are to be generous with all that he gives us, and to handle it responsibly
with wisdom and integrity, fearlessly advancing the kingdom of God through our faithful
obedience to his calling.
1 Send your bread on the surface of the water, for after many days you may find it. 2 Give a portion to seven or even to eight, for you don’t know what disaster may happen on earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or the north, the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. 4 One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you don’t know the path of the wind, or how bones develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so also you don’t know the work of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good.
Send
your bread on the surface of the water, for
after many days you may find it.
Most likely refers to shipping
exports
Lesson: Don’t be afraid to invest what you have.
Fear can prevent us from acting on
opportunities or investing (time, effort, or resources). The teacher (as the
word of God) says to go for it even though there will be risks.
This is not just talking about financial
investment, but whatever you have that is considered a “resource” (money, time,
talents/skills, opportunities, etc).
In light of the fact that “you don't know”, how
we invest is important:
(2)
Give a portion to seven or even to eight, for you don't know what disaster
may happen on earth.
Lesson: Don't be afraid, but do be wise.
Invest all that God gives you wisely
- to be responsible with all God gives.
X 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
Diversity
gives the best option for return.
Because we don’t know what the future
holds, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
ILLUS: I was looking at
Guidestone and glad the managers of our funds diversified the money we
invested.
The teacher is being extremely practical
– the BIBLE is extremely practical. I’m thankful for that! The Bible tells us
how to really live!
Diversifying our resources should
include eternal investments.
19 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’
21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share,
10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
God may call you to give away
what you have, but He also may give you great wealth. If so, invest it wisely
so that you can grow iy and leverage it for Kingdom purposes.
Look for many ways that God
may use you for His Kingdom purpose. Be wise in your financial
investments by diversifying but also be wise in you Kingdom
investments by diversifying.
Spoiler:
(3)
If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain on the earth; whether a tree
falls to the south or the north, the place where the tree falls, there it will
lie.
Lesson: Unpredictable storms/challenges are inevitable
Storms will come. Wind will blow
trees down, literally and metaphorically. This generates fear. Fact of life in
a fallen world.
This is not a hypothetical (IF
storms come). They WILL come
How we respond to this fact makes
all the difference…
(4)
One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds
will not reap.
Lesson: If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never move forward in faith.
You will never accomplish much
for God’s Kingdom because we walk by faith and not by sight. There is almost
always an element of doubt that creeps in because it’s rarely crystal clear.
This is an agricultural metaphor
that is about the actions of the farmer based on how he interprets the atmospheric
conditions. He’s making all his financial decisions with an eye to the sky and
the finger to the wind. In other words, he’s making decisions solely based on
the circumstances of the day. We have been very clear that God is a God of the
circumstances so to do this, can you give us wrong information.
If he’s convinced it’s going to storm
because there is wind, he won’t sow.
If he’s convinced it’s going to
rain because there are clouds, he won’t reap.
He doesn’t know if it will
actually rain or storm, but unless he takes a risk, he will never succeed.
This is all about focus – what are we focusing on. What are we looking to to guide us?
If we choose to focus on the possible
storm, fear will prevent us from taking advantage of opportunities we have
before us.
Illus:
There were “clouds” and “windy conditions” here before we came. We were warned
of “rough waters” and if we’d focused on that, we wouldn’t have come.
The enemy wants to neutralize our success
in our calling by overwhelming us with fear.
What if we don’t have enough?
What if I lose my investment?
What if the economy hits a
downturn?
What if my plans don’t pan out?
What if I don’t get the job?
Principle: You will miss out on
every opportunity you don’t take.
Fear will rob you of life.
·
If a child is afraid of the water will miss the
joy of swimming
·
If you are afraid to interview for a job, you
will miss a great career
·
Guys, if you are too scared to ask a girl out,
you will miss out on a great marriage
·
If you’re afraid to give your money away, you
will miss out on amazing blessing
We have to get to the point that
we refuse to miss out on opportunity because of the fear of the possibility
of storms.
Fear is, “what if”. Faith is,” even if”.
X Matthew 14:22-33 (Peter on water)
There is never a perfect time to
step out in faith. Peter didn't wait out the storm.
Parable of the
talents: X Matthew 25:14-30
God is not honored by lack of
faith. If he leads us to risk, it is greater risk if we don't!
(5)
Just as you don’t know the path of the wind, or how bones develop in[a] the womb of
a pregnant woman, so also you don’t know the work of God who makes everything.
This is the key: the work of God!
·
No one knows the path of the wind. X John 3:8 – “The
wind[d] blows where it
pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or
where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
·
no one knows how life is created in the womb.
Lesson: In the same way that we don’t know what the weather will do, we don’t know what God might do.
No one knows what God will do, but we know what God can
do.
We know his nature, and his love for us leads him you always act in a way
that leads to his glory, and are good, through deliverance and refinement.
20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
FDR: “the only thing we have to fear is
fear itself.”
This is absolutely true when we are relying on the almighty God! His
power and presence eradicates fear.
3 You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So…
Conclusion:
(6) in the morning sow
your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don't know
which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them
will be equally good.
Do! Go! Move! Invest! God will not abandon you. The result may not be
what you think, but it will be good.
Proverbs 3:5-6
