ECCLESIASTES 11 – GENEROSITY

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” (NIV)

“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night….Don’t stare at the clouds. Get on with your life….Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted.”

(The Message, Ecclesiastes 11)

An old hymn echoes the theme of generosity and taking the long view of your life.

1. “Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Ye who have but scant supply;
Angel eyes will watch above it;
You shall find it by and by;
He who in his righteous balance,
Doth each human action weigh,
Will your sacrifice remember,
Will your loving deeds repay.

2. “Cast thy bread upon the waters;
Sad and weary, worn with care,
Wherefore sitting in the shadow?
Surely you’ve a crumb to spare.
Can you not to those around you
Sing some little song of hope,
As you look with longing vision
Thro’ faith’s mighty telescope?

3. “Cast thy bread upon the waters,”
Ye who have abundant store;
It may float on many a billow,
It may strand on many a shore;
You may think it lost forever,
But, as sure as God is true,
In this life, or in the other,
It will yet return to you.

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Think of yourself from first to last:

Guard yourself from the wintry blast;

Feed your stomach and quench your thirst;

Feather your nest and feather it first;

Fly to your pleasures and dance them through-

There’s nobody else in this world but you.

 

Think of yourself-and right or wrong,

Give no thought to the passing throng.

What if your conduct should bring to shame

Those who honor and share your name?

What if they’re hurt by the things you do?

Why should their suffering trouble you?

 

Live for yourself, but don’t complain

When you have come to the world’s disdain.

Don’t return when the night’s come on

And wonder where all your friends have gone.

Carry no burden except your own,

But always be ready to weep alone.

 

But if you wish for the happy years

And the love of a friend who sees your tears,

Ad the world’s respect and an honored name,

And all the joys which the gentle claim,

You must think of others in all you do-

You must think of them first, and last of you.

(Edgar A. Guest)

“Lord, give us more charity, more self-denial, more likeness to you. Teach us to sacrifice our comforts to others, and our likings for the sake of doing good. Make us kindly in thought, gentle in word, generous in deed. Teach us that it is better to give than to receive; better to forget ourselves than to put ourselves forward; better to minister than to be ministered unto. And unto you, the God of love, be glory and praise forever.” (Henry Alford, 1810-71)