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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1 - 11:6
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Practicing Benevolence
v. 1. Cast thy bread upon the waters, in practicing benevolence freely, without the hope of profit or immediate return, Mat_5:46-47; Luk_6:35-38; for thou shalt find it after many days, God will return a rich harvest at the time appointed by Him, Gal_6:9-10; 2Co_9:6-9; 1Ti_6:18-19.
v. 2. Give a portion to seven and also to eight, ready to dispense charity to many; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth, when the tables may be turned by some misfortune, and the giver himself may find himself in need of help.
v. 3. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth, when periods of misfortune are due to happen, evil will come in full measure; and if the tree fall toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. Just so it is with gifts of benevolence: their fruit is not lost, although they do not always come to light in the manner intended. Or, as Luther says, man is like a tree which is bound to fall one way or the other, and will be judged according to the way he falls in death.
v. 4. He that observeth the wind, in timid anxiety and hesitation, shall not sow, for while he waits for favorable weather, he misses the proper period for action; and he that regardeth the clouds, with the same over-anxious watchfulness, shall not reap. The Christian must sow the seed of good works regardless of the promise of returns.
v. 5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, or of the wind, concerning whose various vagaries men are just as puzzled as ever, in spite of the progress made by the science of meteorology, Cf Joh_3:8, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child, in the mystery of creation or generation, Psa_139:14-15, even so thou knowest not the works of God, who maketh all, the works of His almighty power are unfathomable by the mind of finite men.
v. 6. In the morning sow thy seed, in all the works of one's regular occupation, but especially in acts of benevolence and charity, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, not growing weary in the appointed tasks and in well-doing, Gal_6:9-10, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, the blessing may rest upon the early or upon the late labor, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good, both producing substantial and enduring good. The conduct advised by the author, therefore, is that of steady faithfulness in the appointed tasks.