Ecclesiastes 11
Reading Time: 2 minutes Listen
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9 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.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Ecclesiastes 11:1-10
Cast Your Bread upon the Waters
1Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
3If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
6In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
7Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
9Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Eccles. 11:1-10
Invest in Many Ventures
1Ship your grain across the sea;
after many days you may receive a return.
2Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
3If 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.
4Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5As 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.
6Sow 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.
Remember Your Creator While Young
7Light is sweet,
and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8However 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.
9You 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.
10So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
The writer begins with the principle of generosity, believing that our efforts will bear fruit in time. It leans towards being reflexively generous with our capital and intellectual contributions, with a genuine concern for others’ well-being. Another interpretation suggests diversifying our risk by investing capital in various business ventures and not relying on a single source for investment returns.
Life is filled with unforeseen events; however, as Maya Angelou once observed, “Every storm runs out of rain.” If a person becomes too risk averse, waiting for perfect weather or conditions to launch their efforts, they will miss out on good opportunities.
Just as nature operates based on discernable laws, a transparent and principled life based on moral principles is predictable and inevitable. Integrity is the harmony between inner beliefs and outward actions. Transparency in all our actions and intentions and moral integrity create predictability that others can rely on and draw strength from our life’s example.
A life well-lived with joy will endure the inevitable days of darkness and suffering with serenity. The arc of this chapter emphasizes that true success starts with reflexive generosity, seizing opportunities, and remembering that God will judge all on that great last day.
Adrian Zahid
Co-founder, Intelligent Adventist, Santa Monica, California USA (as of this writing)
