Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Ecclesiastes 11:1
I had an interesting situation occur last Sunday after one of our services. I was greeting people as they left the service as I do every week and a man waited to speak with me. He has been attending our church about six months, but wanted to share with me what brought him to Grace. Apparently years ago, probably close to 15 years now, I was in the insurance business and he was in real estate. He said that every time he achieved any recognition as a realtor he would get an encouraging note from me. He was so encouraged each time that he began keeping up with me in my community involvement and my online activity (I’ve been attempting ministry online since 1996). He said he decided if I ever pastored a church he would attend. He only recently learned I was at Grace.
I don’t share that story to make myself look special. Honestly it was mostly marketing driven activity at that time. I share it because it illustrates a bigger principle; the one the verse shared at the beginning of this post illustrates The principle is that when we do good things; the things that invest in people, encourage them, make their life better, we may not see the immediate results of those actions. Sometimes it may not even seem to make a difference, but after many days…well…after many days only God knows the good that you and I may see.
It reminds me of a couple other principles from God’s word:
Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Do the good you know and see to do today. “Cast your bread upon the waters.” You may get no recognition for it. No one may even seen to care that you did…oh but one day…you’ll find that bread again…and when you do...that’s some good bread. Trust me!
Have you had a stories of doing good things and not hearing of it later?
I’d loved to read your story. It may encourage others…and me.
Thank you for this. I have become very weary in ministering to someone very dear to me who has serious mental (spiritual) health issues. It has been discouraging, frustrating, and so sad at times. 1 Cor. 15:58 was very convicting for me. I am going to prayer now asking God exactly what this means to me at this time and just how He desires me to do that. I am praying for His encouragement, empowering, guidance and direction. Thank you! Whatever I do, whether I "see" the fruit or not — anything done for those He has given us to serve for His sake and in His name is not in vain. Mostly though, I heard God, through this post, say to me "Keep going…give yourself fully!"
I suspect you're doing more good than you realize with this person.
Sorry I didn't see this when you wrote it!
It's always good to be reminded about why we do things – and to know that they are not done in "vain".
Thanks for what you do.
Lee
Thank you. It's an older post.
Sometimes, just the fact that God sees the good that we do is enough for me. In a world full of negative words and actions, encouragement and kindness can be breaths of fresh air.
Yes!!!!
What a nice post! How encouraging. So glad you shared a link to it via Twitter. I participated this morning in a neighborhood garage sale & met some amazing people toward the end who do this sort of thing all the time. On weekends in Raleigh, N.C., they go around and buy some of the nicer yard-sale leftovers & ship them…at their own expense…to people struggling in the aftermath of natural disasters. I'm terrible about updating my blog, but have decided to document what they're doing. Thanks again for this post.
Thanks Beverly. I love that. Comment back with a link when you get it updated.