◄ Ecclesiastes 11:1 ►
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Study Bible
Cast your bread upon the waters
This phrase suggests an act of faith and generosity. In ancient times, "bread" symbolized sustenance and livelihood. Casting it "upon the waters" implies releasing something valuable without immediate return, akin to sowing seeds. The imagery may reflect the practice of maritime trade, where merchants sent goods across seas, trusting in eventual profit. This act of casting can also symbolize acts of charity or kindness, trusting God for future returns. The waters can represent uncertainty, emphasizing faith in God's provision. This aligns with Jesus' teachings on giving and trusting God for provision (Luke 6:38).

for after many days
The phrase "after many days" indicates a period of waiting and patience. In biblical times, agricultural and trade cycles required patience, as returns were not immediate. This reflects the principle of sowing and reaping found throughout Scripture (Galatians 6:9). The delay tests faith and perseverance, encouraging believers to trust in God's timing. It also mirrors the patience required in spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God's promises.

you will find it again
This assurance of return highlights the principle of divine reward and faithfulness. The promise that "you will find it again" suggests that acts of faith and generosity will not be in vain. It echoes the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to those who trust and obey Him (Hebrews 11:6). This return may not always be material but can manifest in spiritual blessings or eternal rewards. The certainty of finding it again encourages believers to live generously and trust in God's provision, reflecting the ultimate return of investment in God's kingdom (Matthew 6:19-21).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible.

2. Israel
- The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel was a nation that experienced prosperity and challenges during his time.

3. The Waters
- Symbolic in this verse, "the waters" can represent uncertainty or the unknown, reflecting the unpredictability of life and the act of faith in God's provision.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
The act of casting bread upon the waters symbolizes taking steps of faith without immediate assurance of return. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and provision.

Generosity and Investment
This verse teaches the importance of being generous and investing in others, even when the outcome is uncertain. It encourages believers to give freely, trusting that God will bring a return in due time.

Patience and Trust
The promise of finding the bread again "after many days" highlights the need for patience and trust in God's promises. Believers are reminded that God's timing is perfect, even when it requires waiting.

Stewardship and Responsibility
The verse calls for responsible stewardship of resources, encouraging believers to use what they have to bless others, knowing that God honors such actions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "casting your bread upon the waters" challenge your current approach to generosity and giving?

2. In what ways can you apply the principle of Ecclesiastes 11:1 in your daily life, especially in uncertain situations?

3. How does the promise of finding your bread again after many days encourage you to trust in God's provision?

4. What connections can you draw between Ecclesiastes 11:1 and Jesus' teachings on giving in the New Testament?

5. Reflect on a time when you acted in faith without seeing immediate results. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's faithfulness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 19:17
- This verse speaks about lending to the Lord by being generous to the poor, which connects to the idea of casting bread upon the waters as an act of faith and generosity.

Luke 6:38
- Jesus teaches about giving and receiving, emphasizing that the measure you use will be measured back to you, which aligns with the promise of finding your bread again after many days.

2 Corinthians 9:6
- Paul discusses the principle of sowing and reaping, encouraging believers to give generously, which echoes the theme of Ecclesiastes 11:1.
Sermons
After Many DaysJ. S. Mayer, M. A.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Bowing on the WatersA. F. Muir, M. A.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Cast Thy Bread Upon the WatersBrooke Herford.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Cast Thy Bread Upon the WatersW. L. Watkinson.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Certainties and UncertaintiesCaleb Morris.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Encouragement to Christian ToilersD. Thomas Ecclesiastes 11:1
Excitements to Missionary EffortR. Watson, M. A.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Faith and DutyProf. Elmslie.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Sowing on the WatersC. Stanford, D. D.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Spiritual Efforts not LostH. Melvill, B. D.Ecclesiastes 11:1
The Poor Man's PortionA. Fuller.Ecclesiastes 11:1
The Social Agency of Good MenHomilistEcclesiastes 11:1
Uninviting WorkW. L. Watkinson.Ecclesiastes 11:1
Works of CharityD. Thomas Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2
Incentives to Christian WorkW. Clarkson Ecclesiastes 11:1-4, 6
Provision for the FutureJ. Willcock Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bread, Cast, Face, Forth, Multitude, Surface, Waters
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ecclesiastes 11:1

     4824   famine, spiritual
     8436   giving, of possessions

Library
A New Years Sermon to the Young
'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.... Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.'--ECCLES. xi. 9; xii. 1. This strange, and in some places perplexing Book of Ecclesiastes, is intended to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
"He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."--Ecclesiastes 11:4. SOW when the time comes, whatever wind blows. Reap when the times comes, whatever clouds are in the sky. There are, however, qualifying proverbs, which must influence our actions. We are not to discard prudence in the choice of the time for our work. "To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." It is well to sow when the weather is propitious. It is wise …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

Of Confession and Self-Examination
Of Confession and Self-examination Self-examination should always precede Confession, and in the nature and manner of it should be conformable to the state of the soul: the business of those that are advanced to the degree of which we now treat, is to lay their whole souls open before God, who will not fail to enlighten them, and enable them to see the peculiar nature of their faults. This examination, however, should be peaceful and tranquil, and we should depend on God for the discovery and knowledge …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."--Proverbs iv. 14, 15. The chief cause of the wickedness which is every where seen in the world, and in which, alas! each of us has more or less his share, is our curiosity to have some fellowship with darkness, some experience of sin, to know what the pleasures of sin are like. I believe it is even thought unmanly by many persons (though they may not like to say …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

1872-1874. Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher --Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool --Letter to Mrs. Merry --Letter from Canada --Miss
Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs. Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home. Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:-- "Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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