The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 48 God Abundantly Provides For Us. Do We Cheerfully Serve Him?

Be generous toward God and man, rather than stingy.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2  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.  

In our last post, we studied how these two verses are connected with acts of kindness and charity, as opposed to those who are stingy and hoard their resources. 

This is connected with the principles of reaping and sowing. We raised the question "Are we sowing to the Spirit, or to our flesh?"

Thus, part of loving God is giving back to God our tithes and freewill offerings. Part of loving others as ourselves, is helping those in need if we are able.

Solomon looks at the weather in connection to this same picture from the first two verses. 

Rain clouds depict the Father's provision for all mankind. 

Ecclesiastes 11:3  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. 

The idea Solomon is conveying is that the people of God ought to act like the clouds. When clouds are full of moisture, they release life giving rains upon the field or the barren land. 

The rains fall without regard to whether the people deserve this rain, or not. 

The Father sends rain on good people and bad.

Matthew 5:44-45  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

This connects with Christ's teaching. Our Father in heaven sends His life sustaining rains upon good people and upon the wicked. He does this even though many fail to thank Him for it. 

In like manner, a Christian's acts of kindness to others may never receive a word of thanks or an expression of gratitude. 

Yet, if we can be a blessing to others, we should follow the example of our Faither in heaven.  Relieving those who are in real distress is the right thing to do.

God's bountiful provision for all mankind. 

Psalm 65:9-13  Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. 10)  Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. 11)  Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. 12)  They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. 13)  The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. 

In like manner, the Psalmist describes the wonderful goodness God extends to all people of the earth, every day, every week and every year. 

God visits the earth and waters it with His rain. He enriches the soil so that bountiful harvests can supply our food needs. 

The Psalmist pictures God's rain softening the soil, so that seeds may germinate, plants may grow and trees put out their canopy of leaves.

The hills are full of herds and flocks while the valleys and plains are covered with corn and grains. 

All of this providential goodness is bestowed upon us by our Father even though many do not thank Him or praise His name. 

This is the picture that Solomon is communicating to us, in regards to how we use our resources, time and energy. 

Falling trees depicts the attitude of our soul when death comes. 

Ecclesiastes 11:3  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. 

The second idea in this text is that of a tree falling. The falling tree is a metaphor for death, to remind us that we will die and stand before God.

If a tree is leaning toward the north, to the north it will fall. If it is leaning toward the south, it will fall in that direction. 

The picture is that whatever the disposition of our soul is when we die, that same disposition will carry over to the eternal world. 

Death does not refine anything. It does not purify anything. It is simply the wages of sin. However, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

God has delivered us from the bondage of corruption (Romans 8;21).

God has delivered us from the eternal impact of death (2 Corinthians 1:9-10). 

He has delivered us from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13). 

He has delivered us from the wrath of final judgment (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Therefore, let our soul always be inclined toward God, having our affection set upon the things of His kingdom. 

Have our heart fixed on loving and serving God. 

1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

Let us do as God commands, by pursuing holiness of life, that we might heap much honor and glory, upon the God of our salvation.

Romans 12:5-8  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Paul gives us a beautiful description of the body of Christ, in each local church. This is what happens when the Spirit of God is having His way in our hearts.

We are many individual members connected to each other through faith in Christ. The Spirit of God has gifted each one of us, but not in the same way. 

Some are gifted teachers. Some are gifted to do the work of the ministry, such as cleaning buildings, facilitating church meals, visiting senior saints. 

The overarching idea communicated here, is that of serving God and others, with cheerfulness. This connects with what Solomon is teaching us. 

Those who wait for the perfect time to serve God will never serve Him. 

Ecclesiastes 11:4  He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 

This is a picture of a farmer who is ready to plant seed in his fields, but he is fretting about the weather. 

He worries that the wind will blow his seed to the wrong spot when he sows it. He is waiting for the "perfect" weather to sow his fields.

Thus, he will wait too long, and the opportunity to sow the seed will pass. His worry results in negligence of his duties as a farmer, and he will not have a harvest to reap. 

This teaches us that the time to love and serve God is right now, this day, this moment. 

Yes, we may encounter stormy weather and less than ideal conditions, but sowing the seed of the gospel of Christ is what we must do. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

If we magnify every little difficulty when it comes to loving and serving God, we will be paralyzed by fear or worry. 

Solomon teaches us to use our time, resources and energy for God's kingdom. This is the only thing that really matters. 

Do we love God? Then let us serve Him.

Do we have a burden to serve God? Then, let us go and do it with all our heart.

The apostle John's words connect with Solomon's teaching about generosity toward God and man. They connect with the idea of a tree falling, and the fact that one day we too, will die.

How much better to have a heart cheerfully engaged in loving and serving God, while loving and serving others around us.

May we be cheerful givers whom God loves, using our time, talents and resources for His kingdom purposes. 

Bob

1 John 3:17  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?