Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back. Divide your means seven ways, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2
“Many persons are ready to look upon what is bestowed for charitable uses as lost. But we ought not to look upon it as lost, because it benefits those whom we ought to love as ourselves. And not only so, but it is not lost to us, if we give any credit to the Scriptures.
See the advice that Solomon gives in Ecclesiastes 11:1…By casting our bread upon the waters, Solomon means giving it to the poor, as appears by the next words, “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight.” Waters are sometimes put for people and multitudes.
What strange advice would this seem to many, to cast their bread upon the waters, which would seem to them like throwing it away! What more direct method to lose our bread, than to go and throw it into the sea? But the wise man tells us, No, it is not lost; you shall find it again after many days. It is not sunk, but you commit it to Providence.
You commit it to the winds and waves. However it will come about to you, and you shall find it again after many days. Though it should be many days first, yet you shall find it at last, at a time when you most need it. He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord. And God is not one of those who will not pay again what is lent to him…God will not only pay you again, but he will pay you with great increase.”
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) section III.V.
When I was in the Philippines, I visited a home which had a large fountain with fish in the pond. When I walked near, the fish surfaced seeking food.
I thought, “They are waiting for me to cast my bread upon the water.” They wanted me to feed them. Notice the parallel here.
When we cast what we have on those in need, plenty will return to us. It requires faith. And those who commit what they have to Providence find gain.
They discover that through the many they have served God supplies more than what they need, when they need it. What better plan for our resources.
Cast your bread upon those who surface before you, like the fish I was looking at. See what happens. Give it time. And report back.
And remember GTP in your giving. God’s opened remarkably doors to serve persecuted and underserved Christians worldwide.
In response, we launched the 100 Countries Campaign. We pray God raises up country coordinators for 100 countries. We have 35 so far.
And we are asking God for financial support from 100 countries. Last year we had gifts come from 53 countries.
To respond to demand we pray everyone steps up and entrusts what they have to Providence, casting their bread on those in need.