Title Four Principles of Blessed Sharing
1. The principle of secrecy
As Solomon mentions the futility of life through Ecclesiastes, he challenges how to live out of the nihilities and live a fulfilling life. And gradually we move towards the concluding message of Ecclesiastes. What is the concluding message? In order to overcome the futility of life, it is necessary to excel in the ‘life of Donab ’ of giving, sharing and giving. But when sharing, he exhorts, “Throw your food on the water!” (verse 1). It means to give relief secretly and quietly, as if flowing water has no words or signs.
Occasionally, there are people who silently donate for the missionaries without revealing their names. Then, the supported missionary does not know who helped him, so he thank God and give glory to God in the end. Such silent devotion is the greatest reality of 'a life that glorifies God'. Give thanks if you have a name, but thank you even if you don't. The more he hides his name like that, the more glorified God is.
2. The principle of presence
Because Solomon does not know when and at what moment disasters will come, he tells them to share diligently before they lose everything in the disaster (verse 2). There is a time for dedication. If you miss the right time, the opportunity to commit may never come again, or you may end up in a situation where you don't even want to commit. Dedicate yourself when you are impressed. No matter how hard you work to build up fame and wealth, once disaster strikes, it cannot happen (verse 3). So, don't just focus on building things, focus on sharing from now on.
A person needs wisdom to see the time and to discern (verse 4). However, if you look at the winds too much, you will not be able to sow the seeds. If you promise to work only in good times, you won't do anything and you won't make any progress. Many believers make this promise. “If you can afford it in the future, you should dedicate yourself.” It's a good idea, but very few people who think that way actually do things well and find time to relax. Instead of doing good things when things go well in the future, do good things now even when things are lacking. Sharing means more when you have less than when you have spare time.
3. The principle of maximum
In verse 2 of the text, “Give it to seven or eight!” means, “Give it to as many people as you can!” The most beautiful thing is to do God's work and help others by doing the best you can. Why were Priscilla and Aquila able to leave a beautiful name in the early church? This is because they did their best to help Paul's mission with their livelihood.
4. Principle of Persistence
Continue to do good (verse 6). Don't be like the heart of a stone garden in the Lord's parable of the sower. Field-minded people are usually passionate. It can even be momentary. The problem is that there is no persistence. The passion of the stone garden heart does not last long. It comes like the wind because it is God's will, and it disappears like the wind because it is God's will. When they get tired of brushing or encounter small obstacles, they quickly lose their enthusiasm and pass the blame on to others.
The most common words of people with a rocky heart are, “There is no Jesus there!” So he says he will go to where Jesus is. However, in most cases, they do not realize that the self without continuity is the image without Jesus. In the end, a person with a stone heart creates chaos, disorder, and troubles in the community. Be on the lookout for excessive passion and be a persevering soul that is neither left nor right. Like a farmer who picks stones from a field, a steady soul is the soul that gives strength to the vision of the community.