Very wasteful you may say. What is the reason? Has the bread gone stale? Does it have molds and not suitable for human consumption anymore? And why in the water?

Care to add one more question?

King Solomon in his book Ecclesiastes, chapter 11 verse 1 gave this unsolicited advice. From a very wise King it should make sense, but why really?

” Cast your bread upon the waters,

For you will find it after many days…”

First things first. Let’s talk about the bread in the Bible. And Jesus said to them, ” I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” ~ John 6:35. Jesus Christ is the bread. And He added in verse 48, ” I am the bread of life “. Allow me to continue with verses 48 to 51, ” Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” This chapter truly is about nutrition – nourishing the body, mind, and spirit. Here is my favourite quote from Jesus Himself. This phrase was the weapon He used when He was tempted. Very strong ammunition – ” But He answered and said, ‘ It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”‘ – Matthew 4:4. So now we know who and what the bread is.

What about the water? In the Book of Revelation chapter 17 verse 15 it says, ” Then he said to me, ” The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” This is the meaning of the water. When we cast the bread upon the water , we share Jesus Christ with other people. We share our faith. It all came down to this – if you are wondering what is your calling, it is to share Christ with the world. Your second calling will come clearly when You seek the Kingdom of God first. ” Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousnes and all these things will be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

Bread is the staple food all around the world – whether you call it croissant, naan, mantou, damper, pretzel, pineapple bun, foccacia, there is always bread incorporated in them. Rice is starch , bread is starch and we have those rice crackers , wheat and rye loaves, bread is everywhere in different forms. Bread is life. It sustains, a necessity, giving it out to those who are hungry. And when Jesus told us to cast it upon the water, He meant to share Him with others. It is a lesson of generosity, of sharing our faith and our belief of trying to make this world a better place for those who are in need. We are to share our bread with others. ” He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9

Casting our bread on the waters is sharing whatever blessings or resources we have. Being a Christian is being a channel of blessings. The best thing and best part definitely is sharing spiritual bread – ” Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘ Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'”

The bottom line is – King Solomon is right, no doubt. For when we are generous to others , this generosity will come back to us one way or another. Maybe in mysterious ways for the Lord sees our hearts and minds. When we are generous to others, God will be generous to us. What we throw out in the world it will surely come back to us. Let’s cast out good things, so good things will come back to us – ” For you will find it after many days. “

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. – Luke 6:38

But Jesus also said ” Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” – Matthew 7:6. It is a warning not to give recklessly. Ask God for wisdom in everything and anything. ” For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the path of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.” – Proverbs 2:6-9.