Bible Study - Re-Finance (5) - Invest Money Wisely - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 - August 14, 2016

Bible Study – Re-Finance (5) – Invest Money Wisely – August 14, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Re-Finance: Ancient Wisdom for Money Management.”

Our focus scripture is Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

When it comes to your money, plan and invest wisely.

All people or at least most of us like to make wise investments. At the moment we invest, we believe it is wise. Time will tell. Bad investments often teach us a valuable lesson; don’t do it again or teaches us what to look for when we do invest. Living teaches us. GOD is wisdom and HIS desire is for HIS children to have such a relationship with HIM that HE is the ONE we go to for counsel.

Some may say but I went to the LORD for counsel and things did not turn out like I expected. I have been there and done that. I said, “But LORD, I asked YOU for guidance and wisdom in this matter and it failed.” Do you know the answer I received? “How else will you learn wisdom?” Ouch! I never anticipated that answer. 

But most of us, if not all, have baggage from many different sources. Some comes from our ancestry. Some decisions come from the lifestyle and upbringing of our family during our formative years and the circumstances of our parent or parents. There are many natures and habits we have that cause us to make certain decisions. Some are good and others are reactive and not based upon sound judgment. Often, many of us have rough edges that have to be honed to get us to the point where we can make wise decisions.

Many of us have heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. We often fail to learn from our mistakes.

Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon to spare future generations from the bitterness of learning through life’s experiences. The key is all humans are to build the right relationship with GOD and seek wisdom from HIM. Ecclesiastes focuses upon certain key issues such as:

Ecclesiastes 6:8:

8 What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What [advantage] is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

Life is filled with uncertainties for both the wise and the foolish.

Ecclesiastes 9:2:

2 Everything is the same for everyone: there is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner, as for the one who takes an oath, so for the one who fears an oath.

The bottom line is that all humans die. SO what do we do between life and death? What we do is in our control. We are free agents. Where do we go to for wisdom? GOD is the source for all wisdom. It makes sense to seek the right relationship with HIM through faith in CHRIST. Why JESUS? JESUS said it best in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Is JESUS the only way to GOD or HE was a liar, lunatic or the True Promised Messiah? It is your decision to make. Without a doubt, I believe JESUS is the only way. Why because HE gave HIS life for all who will place their faith in HIM. Experience the miracle of rebirth in your Spirit by asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life now. Experience the joy of being GOD’S Son or Daughter and knowing that you have eternal life now and into eternity. When you make this decision, thank HIM for saving you and then tell a Christian friend what you have done. Blessings to all who seek knowing JESUS as their Savior.

Ecclesiastes 9:18:

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good.

The bottom line is that although wisdom is powerful, wisdom does not dictate the outcome because of the many variables which can alter the course of events.

So what can we learn from our lesson?

The bottom line of Ecclesiastes is for all to honor, respect and reverence GOD. GOD’S desire is for humans to use their resources wisely by seeking the right relationship with HIM and applying the wisdom that they learn through this relationship. Part of this relationship is for HIS children to invest wisely.

Ecclesiastes reflects a period in which trade and international contacts were common. There was money to be made but also it was a time when money could be lost. It was a time when those who were wise could do very well and those who were foolish could lose all they had.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Ecclesiastes 11:1-2:

Invest in Life – Don’t Put All Of Your Eggs Into One Basket

1 Send your bread on the surface of the waters, for after many days you may find it.

2 Give a portion to seven or even to eight, for you don't know what disaster may happen on earth.

Not putting all your eggs into one basket was a common phrase with which I grew up. My grandfather raised chickens and the hens laid eggs. We harvested the eggs for us to eat and to sell in the grocery. When we gathered the eggs, we did not place them all in one basket. Simply, if we tripped and fell we ran the risk of breaking some of the eggs, if not all of them. Eggs were important to our family therefore we were to act responsibly to protect them.

Ancient wisdom instructs us to diversify. Most, if not all, advisors today tell us to diversify because we simply cannot know all of the variables which can influence our investments both positively and negatively. Ancient wisdom reflected this advice.

Therefore, cast your bread upon the water and send it in many directions. You will lose some but others will come back to you.

The idea was that goods were shipped both by sea and land. When you split up your goods and send them by several different routes you reduce the potential for total economic disaster. Storms at sea could result in your cargo being lost. If you ship by land, the caravan could be attacked and your goods taken by thieves. Therefore, select seven or eight different ways to ship your goods and hope that some, if not all, will result in you receiving the money you hoped to receive from them.

Trade during the life of Solomon flourished but you had to be wise when you sent your goods to other locations. Diversify your investments and be patient to see what returns to you. But even here one has to be careful. Things change and what works one time needs to be carefully evaluated to determine if it is still viable. Again, diversify.

Let’s read Ecclesiastes 11:3-4:

Misfortune May Arise But Keep Working

3 If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or the north, the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.

4 One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap.

Verse 3 is a maxim. A maxim is a short pithy statement expressing a general truth or a rule of conduct e.g. actions speak louder than words.

The reference to the clouds or the tree in verse 3 represent the potential for rain or the tree landing where you want it to land. Whether or not the potential will be beneficial to you and your plans will be determined after the fact. You can plan but once action has been taken the results are out of your hands. Thus, one decides whether or not to plant or harvest based upon the potential for rain or it not raining. One cuts a tree which he or she has planned for it to fall in a certain direction but once cut the potential is for unknown factors to change its direction but once fallen then you have to deal with it. Life is filled with uncertainties, but in all of your dealings, seek wisdom from GOD and trust that HE will see you through all circumstances, good or bad. HE teaches in all circumstances and HIS love for you is unfailing.

Verse 4 describes a person who is too cautious. Procrastination can be very harmful. It pays to be cautious but there comes a time when as the old adage states “either fish or cut bait.”

In the old days farmers sowed seeds by hand. They would broadcast their seeds by casting them such that they fell randomly on the plowed field. If the wind was blowing hard they would wait because the seeds would be carried by the wind to only heaven knew where they would fall. Therefore, when it was very windy, it would be wise to wait but also one could not wait too long and the time to plant may pass them by.

When harvest time came, grain had to be harvested at the right time. The harvested grain had to be tied in bundles to dry so it could be thrashed. If the bundles were harvested when wet they could spoil and rendered of no value. They could mold. A judgment had to be made and a chance taken. Again, the idea is for the farmer to seek wisdom from GOD and choose the right time to harvest.

Most, if not all, decisions come from limited knowledge. We do our best when we seek GOD’S help but even then things may not turn out like we would hope for.

Does this mean that GOD has failed us? No, when things do not turn out like we think that is when we go to our LORD and ask HIM to reveal to us what happened. If it was to teach us then we need to learn the lesson well so that it will not be repeated. If it was to test you, then may the test do its intended work! Life upon earth is a training ground for eternity. Life is a partnership with GOD through our relationship with CHRIST.

All Christians must keep in mind the teaching of JESUS as written in Luke 11:11-13:

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?

12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

We must also keep in mind that we can make bad decisions and when we do we must suffer the consequences. But even when we do, GOD is in all things to bring about the best conclusion as written in Romans 8:28:

28 We know that (GOD is in) all things work (ing) together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Things do not control GOD but rather GOD controls all things. But certain decisions we make have dire consequences but even when they do, GOD is working in our behalf.

Let’s read Ecclesiastes 11:5-6:

Life Is Uncertain, So Leave It All In GOD’S Hands

5 Just as you don't know the path of the wind, or how bones [develop] in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you don't know the work of God who makes everything.

Life is filled with uncertainties but we are not to let that prevent us from taking the action we need to take. We need food and resources to sustain us. Weather can be a formidable foe to the farmer, to maritime and to caravans. Yet, life goes on. These uncertainties are out of our control but always under the control and authority of GOD. Bad things happen to Godly people but GOD is their strength to see them through these times.

Reproduction is a mystery. We know more about it today than ever before and it is a miracle that all the complexities of embryology take place in an orderly fashion to produce a healthy baby. Sometimes fetal development jumps track but because it does, we trust that they will go according to plan, thus, most couples long for an offspring. 

6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don't know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good.

The reference to morning and evening refer to times and seasons. The point being we, from our perspective, do not know what will succeed or fail. We seek wisdom from GOD and move forward. If what we do does not turn out as we expected, we learn from it and move on armed with this knowledge. Being in partnership with GOD equips us with the resource to succeed. Most of us equate success with wealth but success, in GOD’S eyes, is building a personal, intimate, loving relationship with HIM regardless of the success as defined by the world.

The bottom line is that we do not know what will succeed or fail but with GOD’S help and our due diligence we will succeed because building the right relationship with GOD through thick and thin builds trust in HIM.

Copied below comes from, Herschel Hobbs Commentary, summer 2016, pages 117 and 118, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175.

[Thus, the study this week falls into that category of practical, real-life instruction. When it comes to our money, how are we to act in responsible ways that are satisfying and God-honoring? We have identified three steps we can take.

First, act sensibly. That is the message behind the admonition to diversify your investments. Even if you don’t have a lot of money and have not made actual investments in stock, don’t be foolish with what you have. Use good common sense.

Second, act diligently. We don’t have the answers to everything and we can’t foresee the future to the degree we would like. Nevertheless, rather than sit idly by, take action; keep working with what you have. Do your due diligence.

Third, act faithfully. We cannot understand all the things happening around us nor all that GOD is doing to bring HIS plan to fulfillment. Nevertheless, we can continue to follow HIS instructions for daily living and trust HIM to bring eternal purposes to pass. Thus, keep the faith.

This section ends with a beautiful prayer:

Father, there is so much I don’t know and some of what I know I don’t understand. Help me not to be so consumed with knowing that I fail to be trusting. I will do my best with what I have, but foremost, I leave all things in Your hands. Amen] Blessings!!!