Life is fleeting, all is “vanity” says the author of Ecclesiastes. But this is not an excuse to sit back and do nothing. Ash Clarkson shows us how we must be bold in working for Christ, give generously and trust God for the outcome.
Our passages: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, Matthew 25:14-30. Preacher: Ash Clarkson (9th July 2020).
Introduction
In 1792 William Carey moved to the mission field in India in the face of opposition.
In 40 years Carey translated the Bible into many languages and converted 700 people. His legacy was to create a great overseas mission in India and Africa; even though he saw little of what was achieved.
The writer of Ecclesiastes takes a look at our life. In our temporary existence, we may be tempted to do nothing. Yet the author wants us to use our lives for a purpose.
Since God is in control we should work boldly, give generously and trust God for the outcome.
1. Work with boldness
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV
This is a metaphor that is quite arcane to us today. We might think of feeding the ducks where the bread would disappear; certainly not return.
But their bread was more like pita bread. If you throw it in the river it will float away. If you walk down the steam you may find it again.
The metaphor probably refers to ocean trade. In those days, ocean trade was very risky, but also very profitable. If one was to send trade ships out, they may return in three years.
The passage says to take a risk with our labours. Daily work, raising children or work for the kingdom are all profitable for the Lord.
In Matthew 25:14-30 two servants take a risk. The servant who doesn’t take a risk gets rebuked harshly.
2. Give generously
One way we take a risk is through giving. Giving charitably, we don’t see any of the return, but you would be surprised at the influence it has.
In ocean trade, goods were spread across a number of ships. Even if only one returned the profit would still outweigh the losses. Today financial advisors say to spread investment funds.
But the author is not talking about an investment portfolio, he’s talking about a giving portfolio. We give because we don’t know what disaster will befall.
Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 ESV
When someone needs medical treatment then they don’t begrudge the taxes they’ve paid that will be there to support them.
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”‘ [20] But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
Luke 12:19-20 ESV
Do not lay up treasure for yourself, but work richly for God.
Since we have freely received of Christ’s labour, so freely we should give.
Other work
That’s money. But what about other work?
Children require hours for not a lot of return except the odd smile and word of affection. But teaching them about God is worth it.
Work for Christ (the Kingdom), give an account to all who will hear you. Work for those opportunities as they need to be earned.
In v2 we are encouraged to give generously.
If 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.
Ecclesiastes 11:3 ESV
Some things we know about, and are obvious. These are the laws of nature because God made them laws.
We can work with courage because there are certainties in life as well as uncertainties.
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 ESV
Someone who is always waiting for the ideal conditions that will never arrive. Today this is called paralysis by analysis. This is not a good way to live. We should take courage because God is in control.
As 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.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 ESV
3. Trust God for the outcome
Things happen because of things we don’t understand or why they happen. There’s still a lot we don’t know about pregnancy even today. We have to trust that God is in control.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV
Whatever is ordained for us to endure we know this is part of God’s good plan.
Working boldly and courageously we can work with diligence at every opportunity.
In 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.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV
We should get on with our work and be flexible in our labours. We don’t know which parts of our work will prosper.
Recently I threw some seeds down. Some prospered and others with exactly the same soil and conditions didn’t.
So therefore leave the mysteries to God and work diligently.
Working for Christ
We sow the seeds of the gospel and let God take care of conversion and sanctification.
One day we will have rest from our labours, under the sun where we toil with opportunity of salvation and fear of judgement.
Jesus says he has overcome the world.
Resources
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