When Giving Becomes Difficult: Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (KJV)
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” I have been thinking about this passage of Scripture and how it relates to giving. Several interpretations exist for what Solomon meant by casting bread upon the waters. One I find particularly interesting connects it to maritime commerce in the ancient world.
Maritime Commerce During Solomon’s Reign
During Solomon’s reign, Israel was involved in international trade. In 1 Kings 9:26–28, we read that Solomon established a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber on the Red Sea. King Hiram of Tyre provided experienced sailors, and the ships traveled to Ophir, returning with 420 talents of gold.
In those days, maritime commerce required considerable resources and patience. Merchants sent valuable goods across the sea, often waiting long periods for their ships to return. The risks included storms, shipwrecks, and the possibility of losing everything they had invested.
Once a ship departed, the merchant had no control over what happened along the journey.
In 1 Kings 10:22, we read that Solomon’s merchant ships returned every three years with valuable cargo, including gold, silver, and ivory.
Imagine sending something of value away and waiting that long for its return.
Some biblical commentators believe Ecclesiastes 11:1 reflects this type of commerce. The bread represents something valuable being released, while the waters represent the uncertainty involved in sending it away. The return comes “after many days.”
The NET Bible study notes on Ecclesiastes 11:1 discuss maritime trade as one possible interpretation. Others understand the passage as an instruction to give generously.
We cannot say for certain that Solomon meant shipping grain, but the historical illustration is worth considering.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 (KJV)
“Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.”
From a commerce perspective, it could mean spreading resources among several ventures rather than putting everything on one ship. We call that diversification today.
But it also teaches us about generosity. We should not be reluctant to give simply because we do not know what tomorrow holds.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 says: “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.”
A farmer who spends all his time watching the weather may never plant anything. There will always be a reason to wait. There will always be some uncertainty.
The same is true when it comes to giving and helping others. We may not know what happens after we give. We may never see the full impact of what we have done.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 says:
“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.”
We are instructed to keep sowing. We do not know which seed will prosper or what the outcome will be.
I do not interpret this passage as a promise that every dollar we give will somehow come back to us financially. I believe the broader lesson is about generosity, diligence, and what we do with the resources God has entrusted to us.
What Did Jesus Teach About Giving?
Jesus had quite a bit to say about giving.
In Matthew 6:1–4, he teaches us not to give to be seen or recognized by others.
He said, “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” Jesus goes on to explain that our Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward us.
In Luke 14:12–14, Jesus tells us that when we prepare a feast, we should invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.
Why? Because these are people who may never be able to repay us.
Think about that for a moment. Jesus teaches us to give without expecting anything in return. This contrasts with some prosperity gospel teachings we hear today.
One of the most powerful statements Jesus made about giving is found in Matthew 25:35–40:
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.”
Jesus goes on to explain that when we do these things for the least of His brethren, we are doing them unto Him.
How powerful is that!
When we feed someone who is hungry, help someone who is struggling, or reach out to someone who has been forgotten, Jesus tells us that what we have done for them is what we have done for Him.
I believe we sometimes overlook how much emphasis Jesus placed on caring for people. Giving is an important part of our Christian walk. It is an act of worship, and it matters to God. We cannot simply sit in church week after week, hear the Word of God, see people hurting, and do absolutely nothing.
Christianity was never intended to be a spectator sport.
We are called to put our faith into action.
And giving is not always about money. Sometimes it is giving our time, using our talents, sharing our resources, or simply making ourselves available to help someone.
There are so many ways we can make a difference in another person’s life.
Don’t Allow Offense to Stop You From Giving
Now, let me get to the reason I am writing this post.
I know some people have become discouraged by what they have witnessed in certain religious organizations, particularly when it comes to money and financial accountability.
I understand why these things raise concerns.
I believe strongly in financial transparency. If people give their hard-earned money to support a ministry or charitable organization, those funds should be accounted for.
We should exercise wisdom. We should ask questions. We should know where our contributions are going.
But here is something I want us to consider.
We cannot allow someone else’s lack of integrity to become an excuse for our own lack of generosity.
Just because someone has misused resources does not mean we should stop helping people.
Just because we have witnessed things that are contrary to the Word of God does not mean the Word of God has changed.
If you are uncomfortable giving to a particular nonprofit organization, find another credible ministry or organization that is faithfully serving people.
If you know someone who is struggling and you can help, help them directly.
There are people all around us who need assistance. Some need food. Some need clothing. Some need encouragement. Others simply need someone willing to take the time to help them through a difficult situation.
But we must be careful not to allow disappointment, frustration, or offense to become a stumbling block in our own Christian walk.
Someone else’s failure to do what is right does not release us from our responsibility to do what is right.
Jesus said:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, KJV).
I want to encourage you not to become so focused on what is wrong around you that you forget what Christ has called us to do.
There is still a great deal of good we can accomplish when we make ourselves available to serve others.
Keep giving. Keep serving. Keep helping people.
And remember the words of Ecclesiastes 11:1:
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
Don’t allow offense to silence your generosity.