Ecclesiastes 11: The Life of Faith

The Keys to a Life of Faith

Ecclesiastes 11:1–2 ESV

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.

“Cast your bread unto the waters” is an odd phrase that has two varying viewpoints to its interpretation.

First the idea of casting your bread unto the waters is translated as “Send your grain across the sea” in the ESV. Some argue that this is an encouragement to engage in maritime trade. That in order to make a profit, you have to engage in risk and sending your resources across the perilous journey across the see. That in order to get a return there is a requirement of faith. So from a practical standpoint, it points to the life of faith…and that because of the perilous and unpredictable nature of life, we must take risks.

This interpreation is less likely because Ecclesiastes repeatedly talks about the vanity of financial gain. To remain consistent it must point to something more than advice on how to make money.

Ecclesiastes 5:10–14 NIV

10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

The second interpretation is that the idea of “cast your bread unto the waters” refers to generosity.

I believe this interpretation is more likely given the Near Eastern parallels

Ecclesiastes The Resourcefulness of Giving (Ecclesiastes 11:1–6)

The Egyptian proverb “Do a good deed and throw it in the water; when it dries you will find it” from Instruction of Anksheshonq (ancient Egyptian Papyrus) (Lichtheim, p. 174) and the Arabic proverb “Do good, throw your bread on the waters, and one day you will find it.”

So looking in line with the near eastern proverbs, the picture is that if you throw your bread unto the water, while you have it…when the water dries up..you may find it again.

It is a call to generosity. It is a call to faith. Knowing that you will be blessed if you remain patient.

If you give generously and radically…it blesses others, and it also means that when you are in need, you are more likely to find the generosity from others.

From a practical standpoint…throwing/casting your bread out unto the waters sounds like a foolish thing to do.

It would appear to be a waste of resources.

That if you will but trust God, give generously, and be obedient to cast your life into his hands, loving others, serving others, being faithful to his word….when the waters dry up (or when you run out of bread), you will find it.

The Life of Faith is Wholeheartedly Consistent

“Bread” here is used in the sense of goods, livelihood as in Deut 8:3

Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV

3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Proverbs 31:14 NIV

14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

The idea here is that the life of faith is a life of generosity, risk, and trust.

So you don’t cast your break foolishly but you do it in faith and obedience to God.

We know that this “cast your bread unto the waters” points to faith in God because we see God’s hand over the water, wind, rain, and spirit in the next verses.

Ecclesiastes 11:4–5 NIV

4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

This means that when he says cast your bread unto the waters, it means not to trust the water..but to trust the God who is soverign over the water.

And so it is a call to take your goods, wealth, livelihood, put it in God’s hand by being radically generous and to know that you will find a reward

Take what you have, sow it by faith…trusting patiently for God to provide and reward you!

You see, casting our bread to the water seems like a waste….just as obedience and gernosity sometimes feels like a waste. But the call is not just to be generous in giving your time, money, energy unto others and God..but to do it even when it looks foolish.

We’ve already said that Ecclesiastes primarily looks at life under the sun…or looks at life from a secular, material perspective. Here though, Solomon begins to describe the necessity of faith and looking to God! Looking over the sun!

You must have faith! All of us have faith in something, but more specifically we must put our faith in God.

Life is unpredictable, and the key to joy, contentment, in this life is by putting your faith in God…and giving generously unto Him.

What does this mean then practically to cast your bread unto the water? To let go of your life and goods..to put in God’s hand? There are two biblical examples which capture this insight that I want to share.

2 Immediate Instances Come to Mind:

Exodus 2:1–10 NIV

1 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. 5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. 7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” 8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”

Here is the picture: Moses’ mom gave birth to him when Hebrew boys were being killed! So she hides him for 3 months and realizes, I can’t save this child. If I keep him, he will die. I have to venture out in faith, I must take a risk here…I have to put this child in the hand of God..and see if God will rescue him. So she takes him to the nile…and puts him where, in the water?

She doesn’t put him in the water because she trusts the water, but because she trusts the God who is soverign over the water.

And the baby rested there among the reeds in the Nile. At this point…the child is about as helpless as it has ever been. And the mother feels about as helpless as she had ever been.

But along comes Pharoah’s daugher…finds Him! Feels sorry for him. And then says this, I’ll take him in..go find a Hebrew woman who can nurse Him. And so who does she get?…His mom (not knowing that that was His mom)

And so..she puts the baby in the water…and the baby finds himself back in his moms hands. And they name him Moses..because he was drew out of the water.

Faith saves her son! And they call him Moses..because he was pulled out of the water.

Some of us need to thank God..because though our names aren’t Moses…we were pulled out of the water! That the only reason we are here is because of the hand of God..and even when it looked hopeless, God worked out circumstances for us to be saved!

Moses’ mom casts her son to the water…and God gives him back. And then. years later..that same son would be the instrument of salvation to the Israelite people!

Faith! Trust!

Heres the idea here…you can’t save yourself. Trying to gather money, comfort, children, family..these are good things, but they can’t save you! She knew she was helpless and sets out on a radical venture of faith. To lay her own son in the water…to see what God would do.

You see she didn’t just put her son in the hand of God…she puts her heart in the hand of God. Why..because her son, was her heart.

You see, when you put what you treasure in the hand of God, you put your heart in God’s hand

Matthew 6:21 NIV

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So what does this mean? What is our application here:

Give generously to God, not because he needs it, but because you need Him.

The more of your life you sacrifice for God….the more of God you find.

We can’t literally put ourself in Gods hand…so the way we put ourself in God’s hand is by putting what we love in God’s hand. It is to sacrifice the best of what we have and what we want…for God’s kingdom and what he wants. Because when you put your treasure in the hand of God, you put heart in the hand of God.

Cast your bread! Bread was life. It was livelihood. It was symbolic of the worlds provision.

Money is good…but if your new job only brings a greater quality of living, not a greater quality of giving…then that is where your heart is.

Family is good, and a blessing, but if your spouse, or child, or parents are at the center of your life…and not God..thats where your heart is.

You have not put in God’s hand anything that you are not leveraging or using for God’s glory!

A marriage is not in the hand of God is that marriage is not being leveraged to love and build up the kingdom of God.

Cast your bread unto the waters!

Give more to people around you! Pray for more opportunities to serve the people around you.

Give to God! Give generously!

Ecclesiastes 11:2 NIV

2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

Ecclesiastes 11:2 ESV

2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.

The idea is that give as generously as you are able! Invest..again not in money..but put it in the hand of God!

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Another example of this is seen in John 6

John 6:5–13 NIV

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

This boy is the only one with food…and I’m sure hes hungry too. But when Jesus asks for it, he puts his bread and fish in His hand. Jesus then breaks the bread and blesses the food…and multiplies it so everyone is fed. Including the boy! There were even leftovers.

Moses mom trusts not the water, but God. The boy, trust not the food that can satisfy his belly...but Jesus. And he puts it in Jesus’ hand.

And in doing so….Jesus breaks the bread. Blesses it..and feeds him and everyone else.

Application:

God can only bless what you put in his hand

What are you content to hold on to, and not give. He can’t bless it.

You can give your time, energy, money, life…to alot of things. But he can not bless it as long as you are content with using your time, energy, money, and life with what you want to use it for.

And heres the second thing we see from both of these instances

When you cast your bread unto the water, and put your life, money, in God’s hand…he takes it and uses it to bless others and you!

Sometimes people talk about if you give to God he’ll multiply it 10x, 100x. And God can. But you see God does not multiply it, to put it back in your hands..God multiplies what we give for His kingdom…and will bless others with it!

The goal isn’t to give money to make more money later! No, the goal is to give money, time, energy, so that in God’s kingdom..you are able to bless people! And that is your reward! That is what God is pleased with.

God can only bless what you put in his hand!

And God will multiply what you give for His kingdom, not for your comfort or your wallet.

What this means is this:

You may be talented..and maybe you can do alot in this life with your talent, gifts, ability, money, etc. But outside of God’s hand there is no true blessing for you..and you can not truly bless others. Because as Solomon says..apart from God..it is all vanity!

Think about it now: Even if you take the illustration of a ship carrying its grain across the sea to get a return, as some believe this verse means…you must think about it. Solomon did much trade with many nations. And so, he would take what he had, send it off, for some resource that the other nation had, wood, precious fabrics, etc.

But listen, if hes trading with another nation, its becasue they have something which isn’t readily available where He is.

So he essentially exchanges the riches in his kingdom, for the treasure that comes from across the sea!

This is Good…Faith is about taking whatever you view as valuable from a wordly perspective, putting it in God’s hand, to exchange it for kingdom treasure! To get something in return that only God has and only God can give!

You can not recieve the peace, joy, hope, or salvation of God without faith! And faith isn’t just belief..faith is action. You must exchange your treasure for His!

When Jesus calls us to salvation, the question isn’t between heaven or hell. Anybody would say, I’d rather have heaven than hell. The question do you want heaven more than the greatest treasures of this world! And if so, exchange it.

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 NIV

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Paul says, you are saved on the foundation of Christ, but you choose how you build on that foundation, and if you will exchange your treasure for Kingdom treasure. Because its possible to get to heaven by the skin of your teeth with all that you have being burned up because it is of no value!

What am I saying, Faith is the only way we lay hold of the eternal, and exchange our treasures here, for treasures there.

Ecclesiastes 11:3–6 NIV

3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

The Life of Faith is Wholeheartedly Consistent

So he starts with talking about the why and how of faith…then he gets into the when faith is needed.

He says if clouds are full of water, it rains..and where a tree falls..there it lies. But if you watch the wind you won’t plant, and if you look to the clouds you won’t reap.

What does that mean?

One of the greatest hindrances to the life of faith is wanting certainty and safety!

He says, look at the clouds…it rains when they are full, you can’t control it or predict it!

He says, trees fall, yes..but it depends on the wind..you can’t control it or predict it.

And if you get caught up looking at the clouds thinking, “I’ll plant when the weather is perfect” Or I’ll sow when the wind is perfect…you’ll never sow!

Stop overanalyzing everything…just do what God has called you to do!

The reason why you watch the clouds or the wind is because you want to make sure that when you sow…it will be succesfull. You want guarantee that it won’t fail.

God has not promised you that certainty! God has not promised that you give generously, extravigantly…to God and his kingdom…it does not mean that you will not experience failure. Or that you won’t get caught in bad weather sometimes!

Some of us are waiting on God to tell us exactly what to do becasue we think if he tells me exactly what to do..then I know I won’t fail!

It doesn’ work like that!

God says faith is not distracted by the outcome, or even waiting for the perfect conditions..it just obeys!

You see Faith is Neccisary, not when you can see how it works out…but when you can’t !

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Faith is trusting in what you can’t see! And moving forward even when you don’t know!

If you’re waiting on God to tell you exactly how…or to give you certainty its not faith!

You don’t need certainty, you need consistency!

I’ve seen people say, “RJ God is leading me to do this”..and they start. But then when it gets hard, or it doesn’ work out they say..yeah that must not have been what God wanted. I don’t have peace about it!

God never promised you that it would not rain or that trees wouldn’t fall..he just said sow and be faithful!

Jeremiah the prophet preached for 40 years and no one repented! If he waited untill it looked good he never would’ve gave and gave.

our problem is we give up too soon.

We start for a little bit..but then if theres no outcome and nothing comes..we give up!

Our problem is not that we haven’t prayed. Our problem is that we haven’t stayed the course.

What has God called you to do, to give, to start, to sow, to obey..and you started..but you gave up too soon.

What if your blessing and the blessing of others is connected to your faithfulness!

What if God has a minsitry in you..but you gave up too soon, because the weather wasn’t right!

Faith is neccisary not in good weather, but bad!

We look more at our situations and circumstances than what God said!

Well weather faith…is not faith at all.

Faith that leaves you when you need it, is not faith.

Faith that isn’t consistent can not be trusted!

The problem in our lives, and often in our churches..is that we are inconsistent. We start but don’t finish. We say we will do something and then stop. We serve when the weather is good, but stop when its bad.

Because when its bad we say, God must not want me to do it!

Illustration of Snow Expedition:

In his book Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck–Why Some Thrive Despite Them All, Collins shares what two teams did on their journey to the South Pole in 1911. The members of one team died. The other team made it out. By almost all measures, the teams were evenly matched, with the same equipment, skills and experiences. So what made the difference between success and failure?

One team’s strategy was to complete a 20-mile march daily, no matter what. In any weather and under any circumstances, the team marched 20 miles. The members of the other team used a strategy where they took advantage of good weather to march 40 to 60 miles. When the weather was bad, they used that to their advantage and rested warmly in their tents.

So which strategy was successful? Roald Amundsen’s team marched 20 miles a day, no matter what, and the team got to the South Pole first, most importantly living to tell the tale. The members of the other team, led by Robert Falcon Scott, were found dead the next spring.

My goodness…what would have happen if we just stayed consistent! If we stopped looking at the weather, but just said..however I feel, I’m going to obey!

Let me say something, just to encourage some folks in here:

Phil- working on his redeemed minsitry and sticking it out through back pain! I’m encouraged by you brother! Even through his own battle and story!

Earl- Who now is over 100 days sober since the day he came..seeing your consistency! Keep going!

Hunter- Writing books and trying to make videos to teach folks about Jesus…keep going!

Dee, Makayla- Taking thier first mission trip to the Philippines and saying I want to sow this unto God! Keep being faithful

Tim- Prayer minsitry leader who has lead and encouraged our team really since I’ve been here..and is here early praying with our team..thank you for your consistency.

Kierstin- Our worship minsitry leader…shes taken up this ministry as I’ve asked her and shes been so faithful even now pregnant, and lead well..thank you for your consistency.

Mike- Echo and college ministry

So many of our volunteers I can’t name…we are the church we are not because of a moment of good decision..but because of your consistency!

Thank you for sticking with it through the good, bad.

Thats faith!

Do not measure your faith by what you do sparatically! Measure your faith by what you do consistently!

Let me talk to my volunteers:

Faith that can’t be tested can not be trusted!

Fair weather faith is not faith in God…its faith in the weather.

I sat down with my pastor from Knoxville some years ago, and was catching up. And he described to me this situation and decision he had to make with the church when they were building a new building and facility. He talked to many banks to get a loan…and when it came down to it he was between two different ones. He was planning to go with the one that gave him the lowest interest rate on the loan..but he says he talked to the rep at the other bank and he said this..he said look, we’ve worked with many churches before. We have never had to take anyone to court…he said this: if you get to the point you can’t make a payment, we will work with you! We have worked with many churches in the past..and if it gets bad for some reason..we are here to work with you.

Which do you think he chose? He chose the one with a little higher interest that could work with him. Because he wanted the bank that would be there not just when it was good and he couldnt’ pay, but when it was bad and he couldn’t!

You need faith for the bad days! To be consistent even when the weather is bad!

This also means this: As a church, we have to change our score care.

Success is in doing what God has called you to do! Let God handle the outcomes!

You be faithful and consistent even when the weather is bad!

Practically:

If God has called you to a ministry, to a service, to take a step of forgiveness, reconciliation, faithfulness….stop waiting on the right time and just be faithful

Be consistent!

You don’t need certainty, just faith.

Stop overthinking it. Stop overanylizing it. Just do something

“With each new step comes a new horizon”

Ecclesiastes 11:7–10 NIV

7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 8 However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. 9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

The Life of Faith is Thoroughly Joyful

He says that when you live by faith..there is a joy and contenentment in this life that comes. He says when you are young, in the years God has given..be grateful.

You see by casting your life to God, being consistent and trusting in God…you find a joy in this life which can’t be given from the things in this life.

Faith gives generously, faith is consistent, but faith is also joyful.

Look at Ecclesiastes 11:9

Ecclesiastes 11:9 NIV

9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

God tells us to enjoy our lifes. Even seemingly to follow our hearts. But within the context, he prefaces it. He says live your life enjoy your life, but remember that God will judge you.

Faith brings joy, because iit is the only way to be saved from judgement!.

Can I share something with you…the life of faith is not meant to be a life of heaviness and lack of peace. The life of faith is the most joyful life there is.

You see for all who put their faith in Christ, we are saved from judgement…and can rest in his joy.

You know why you must cast your bread unto Him, why you must remain consistent?…but in Him is fullness of Joy. in Him is life

The life of faith ultimately comes down to faith in Christ!

How much is Christ worth to you?

Matthew 4:4 NIV

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Luke 16:9 NIV

9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

I am calling you to joy! To peace!