Daily Devotional For Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Good morning and good day Southside. Our devotional text for today comes from Ecclesiastes 11:1-2:
“Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. (2) Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth” (NASB).
What in the world does Solomon mean here? If you threw bread out onto the surface of some body of water such as a lake or a stream, do you really think you would want to eat it days later? Not me. It would be so soggy and contaminated, to mention the number of times some fish nibbled on it also. And if the bread floated way down stream, how would you ever find it? If you did, it would be so moldy, would you really want to eat it? Not me.
So, what in the world is Solomon talking about here. Some think he is talking about philanthropy – being generous to others. When others are in need in a time of trouble, help them out. Some scholars think this is what Solomon had in mind because it seems to be in sync with an old Arabian Proverb that goes like this: “Do a good deed and throw it into the river; when this dries up you shall find it” (Source: Michael A. Eaton, Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary, p. 140). Some think this agrees with the words of Jesus in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap” (NASB).
So, when we compare verse 1 with verse 2, where we read about portions of 7 or 8, some see this as a reference to the poor. If this is true, then there are examples in the Old Testament of this during festival times. For example, when Ezra read the Law of God in Jerusalem to the Jews who had returned from exile in Persia to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, Nehemiah told them to do this in Nehemiah 8:10, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (NASB).
In a Jewish culture to serve 7 portions would be to fulfill a cultural expectation; to do 8, would be to go beyond – thus being very generous. Protestant Reformer Martin Luther once wrote this: “Be generous to everyone while you can, use your riches wherever you can possibly do any good” (Source: Martin Luther, “Notes on Ecclesiastes,” in Luther’s Works, trans. and ed. Jaroslav Pelikan, 56 vols., Vol. 15, p. 171).
I do not think the emphasis here is on philanthropy, but on prudent industry. In this case, the image presented is one based on the business of agriculture. In this case, Solomon is talking about the wisdom one needs to demonstrate in commercial and business trade. Solomon engaged in much overseas trade (see 1 Kgs. 9:26-28 & 1 Kgs. 10:22).
If you have a retirement account, you understand the importance of diversification – not putting all your eggs into one basket. The 7 or 8 is a reference to safeguarding your investments into multiple investments so that you do not lose everything. In this way you protect and guarantee your investments for the future. One of the reasons I have gone with this interpretation is based off the meaning of the Hebrew word translated as “portion” in verse 2 – [חֵ֥לֶק – cheleq]. This is an economic word indicating property, wealth and riches. Life is unpredictable and uncontrollable. So, in the matters of one’s money, exercise wise control in your investments for the future. This is why in verse 2 Solomon mentions unknown coming future misfortunes. Ignorance is thinking all is safe; wisdom is making sure all is safe. You have to be willing to risk investing wisely. It is like the old proverb, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
We see both the wisdom and punishment for not doing this in the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:14-28. God invites us to be spiritual capitalists – and this is not just about money. It is about having the holy willingness to risk great things (7 or 8) for the Lord. Yes there is risk in starting a new ministry. Yes, it could fail. The same could be said about sharing the Gospel. Not everyone who hears you share it will initially receive it. But we should not stop investing in the Gospel and the kingdom of God because the souls of people are at stake if we refuse to take this risk.
Reflection Assignment: While you may have invested for your future retirement or already have, how are you investing for the kingdom of God for the future? So, what are you risking for the Lord today for a future return in His kingdom? When you cast anything, it requires total commitment – you have to release it. Where and when in your life are you taking the risk to invest the Gospel in others who are lost?
Scripture To Meditate On: Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, help me to take the risk to invest in the Gospel and to invest in the lives of lost people by sharing the Gospel. I want to seek Your kingdom first, invest in Your kingdom continually so that in heaven You will be able to show me the results of that investment. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly