Living with Purpose - 12
Studies in the book of Ecclesiastes - Chapter 11
Today we are studying chapter 11 of the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon continues his wise counsel on how to get the best out of life. True purpose and meaning is found in seeking and applying Gods wisdom to your life. There are two themes in this chapter, “How to live well” and “How to die well”. We need to know how to do this to gain maximum benefit from life's journey.
Consider first, “How to live well”. The greatest threat to a life of purpose found in serving God is materialism. There is nothing wrong in having possessions. We must not make the accumulation of possessions our goal. When God blesses us with them we must know how to use them so they don't become thorns which choke our spiritual growth. The advice given in the first six verses of this chapter is be generous in sharing your material benefits with those not so well off as you are. Verses 1 and 2 say, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. ” “Waters” in scripture often refer to nations of people. We are to give to seven, even to eight, that is, we are to give bountifully. Having given to seven we are not to say, "Well, I've done my bit now I'll leave it to someone else". While you are able to give, then give generously at every opportunity, and to as many as possible. You don't know what problems may come tomorrow that will hinder you from giving. Give today whilst you are able to do so. Solomon gives two illustrations of the right attitude toward giving. We read in verse 3, "If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. " Clouds which are full don't hold on to their water. They pour all they have got on the ground. So we should not hold back when it is in our hand to give to the needy. We also read in that verse, "Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north in the place where it falls, there will it lie. " Wherever the tree falls the people may take it and use it for their benefit for firewood or building a home. God has placed you where you are. You are to meet the needs of those with whom you come in contact. You are to benefit other people.
The end of verse 1 says, “For after many days you will find it again. ” That is God's promise. We often hold back. We say, "I'm on little income. I can't afford to give. ” Or, “I've taxes to pay and a Family to feed”. Those are important obligations. Giving to the needy doesn't free you from them. But God's promise is dependable. We might not see immediately how God will accomplish his promise but He will. Verse 4 says, "Whoever watches the wind will not plant. " The picture is of the farmer. He will neither sow or reap if he allows himself to be put off by adverse weather. We will not know the experience of God's blessing and provision, if we allow ourselves to be put off by the winds of our life's present circumstances. We must trust God as we obey him. Verse 5 says, "As you do not know the path of the wind - so you cannot understand the work of God. " It is the picture of the sailor. He does not know when the wind will blow, or in what direction, but that does not stop him from setting his sail! How God will cause us to "find it again" is his work, not our problem! So the scripture says in
2 Corinthians 9 verse 6, "Remember this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever saws generously will also reap generously. "
There is a spiritual application to this as well. Our duty as Christians is to cast the bread of life upon the waters of the world. We are called to spread the good news of the Gospel. This is food for the hungry souls of men and women. We are to do it where God has put us. We must cast it to as many as possible. We must not allow anything to hinder us. We must preach the Gospel to every creature. We do not know who will, or will not, believe. It is God's prerogative to bring people to faith. Our responsibility is to tell them. Verse 6 says, "Sow your seed in the morning and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. " We leave the results of our efforts to God. He knows what He is doing. Whether we give materially, or of the Gospel, He will accomplish his purpose in it.
Verses 7 to 10 deal with the theme of how to die well. Life is worth the living! Verse 7 says, "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun". Verse 8 says, "However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all'. How you use your days are very important. They don't last forever. They will soon be gone.
Psalm 90 verse 10 says, "The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty if we have the strength. " Life soon passes. Solomon tells us at the end of verse 8, "But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. " Death, and the darkness of the grave, will catch up with us. He says in verse 9, "Know for all these things God will bring you into judgement. " We will face God at that great judgement throne. Death and meeting God at the judgement should make us careful how we live. Solomon addresses young men. He uses a little irony. He says in verse 9, "Be happy, young man, while you are young - let your heart give you joy - follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. " This is how young people think, "I'll live for today and all that I can get out of life". Sadly it is done without any thought for God. Solomon warns, "Well that's fine. If that's your choice go ahead!". But he reminds them at the end of verse 9, "God will bring you into judgement'. So it is wise to live in the light of the reality of death and of the judgement day. This will cause you to turn to God for forgiveness. It will motivate you to live for Jesus Christ today. It will prepare you for that day when you will see Him face to face. Invest your life in the service of Jesus Christ from the days of your youth. Verse 10 says, "Cast off the troubles of your body. " This means get rid of anything that will hurt you and defile you in God's sight. Live a holy life for Him and you will enter into your future eternal reward.
Those who live well are those who live according to the divine plan revealed by God in the Bible. Is that true of you? Are you ready to face death and to face God? I trust that you are.