So many practical thoughts in today's reading.... I especially appreciate the exhortation of 1 Timothy 2:2 to pray for kings and those in authority. That's why I do what I do in ministry today... because I believe in the power of intercessory prayer for our church and leaders.
However, for today's gold nugget reading, I'm going to focus on Ecl. 11:1, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
As Solomon learned so well, each one of us have an influence and what we send out will always eventually come back. If we live carelessly and send out ill with our words or actions, those things will return. And the same if we give and send out that which is good.
In Prophets and Kings we read the following:
"Among the many lessons taught by Solomon’s life, none is more strongly emphasized than the power of influence for good or for ill. However contracted may be our sphere, we still exert an influence for weal or woe. Beyond our knowledge or control, it tells upon others in blessing or cursing. It may be heavy with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of some cherished sin; or it may be charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. But potent for good or for ill it will surely be.
As the seed sown produces a harvest, and this in turn is sown, the harvest is multiplied. In our relation to others, this law holds true. Every act, every word, is a seed that will bear fruit. Every deed of thoughtful kindness, of obedience, of self-denial, will reproduce itself in others, and through them in still others. So every act of envy, malice, or dissension is a seed that will spring up in a “root of bitterness” whereby many shall be defiled. Hebrews 12:15. And how much larger number will the “many” poison! Thus the sowing of good and evil goes on for time and for eternity." (pp. 85-85)Ecl. 11:6 goes on to say, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knows not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."
Ellen White writes further: "In our lifework we know now which shall prosper, this or that. This is not a question for us to settle. We are to do our work, and leave the results with God." (Christ Object Lessons, p. 65)
Our influence counts! We may not be famous or well known, but everything we do makes a difference for the kingdom. So with the Lord before us, leading us and guiding us, let us strive to sow good seed. Let us seek to cast good bread upon the waters.... bread that will feed others for the Kingdom and will bring back a harvest of souls.
Tomorrow's Reading: Ecl. 12 and 1 Timothy 3
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