The Futility of Waiting
When one reads or studies Ecclesiastes, he is confronted by various futilities. These enigmas are observable, which is what Qohelet, the Preacher is doing for us. A world without God simply does not have meaning. Everything in the past; everything today; and everything yet to come will be meaningless (Eccl 11:8).
In Ecclesiastes 11, we learn that God is very active; but we are not privy to all He is doing, especially as it pertains to our own lives. This tends to paralyze many people from taking action. Hence, Qohelet warns about not reaping because one has not sowed. In other words, there is a futility in waiting, in not taking reasonable action. Jesus, in the Gospel accounts, agrees with the need to do something with the stewardship entrusted to each person (Lk 19).
Fearing unpredictable outcomes may be the foremost reason for being paralyzed in one’s to-do list. Inactivity rarely produces a good outcome, however. Like our father, Adam, God designed us for work. Work is a diverse concept.
Some people work with their hands and feet in what we call “manual labor” (1 Cor 4:12). Others work by making choices and decisions with their minds in what we call “management”. Obviously, there is some crossover. Regardless, work is good, especially if God chooses to bless and confirm the work (Dt 15:10; 33:11).
In the work of investing time and resources, it is good to diversify because time and chance may happen in the form of calamity. If wisdom says that two people are better than one because of unforeseen trouble for one, then a portfolio of seven or eight seems wise to the preacher for investments (Eccl 11:1–2).
God makes all things (11:5); and He makes all things to work, according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11). For those who love Him, He makes them all work together for good (Rom 8:28). In this, some days will be light; but some days will hold great darkness (11:7–8). It is the difficult day of darkness that people fear, but this is where grace abounds for the child of God. He has the many promises of God to comfort him when the discipline of the Father visits him (Heb 12:4–11).
One thing people do not seem hesitant about is sinning against God. Justice, at least God’s version, moves rather slowly, so people imagine God is not aware of their diverse rebellions. He, according to the Bible, knows all things, even our thoughts. God chastens those He loves; but He chastises those who do not belong to Him. The difference is His love for His own.
Living loose is common for young people for whom death seems far off. Seeing others “get away with it” compels the young to “follow their hearts” and to take for themselves whatever looks good to them. Qohelet assures the young reader that he or she will be judged for all the sins of one’s youth (11:9). In other words, he assures all of us that nobody is getting away with murder…or anything else.
The promise of perfect justice is very appealing when one looks out at the world of injustice; but it is not so appealing when one looks in the mirror. The world lives in the mindset of karma — whatever comes around goes around. One who initiates “bad karma” will sooner or later reap what one has sowed. This sounds almost biblical; but it is deficient because our God is merciful; and mercy is one way karma is disrupted.
When the child of God receives mercy from the God of mercy, it helps remove grief and anger from his or her disposition. Jesus taught about this in relationship to debtors who could not repay. Having received a 100% forgiveness for what was owed to his lord, the man forgiven much did not forgive one who owed him a lesser debt. This was considered a great evil (Mt 18:21–35).
The lesson here is to fear God and live in a manner that resembles how God has actually treated you in the matters of giving good things (Jas 1:17). God gives us work; therefore, we should labor as unto the Lord, a labor of love. God gives us food and drink to enjoy as the reward for our labors; therefore, we should give thanks to God for every good (material) and every perfect (spiritual) gift (1 Thess 5:18).
We should confess our sins and ask for mercy in the matter of consequences. We should acknowledge God when discipline comes. Like Zacchaeus, we should do our best to correct our wrongs, as much as we are able. In the matter of forgiveness for those who wrong us, may we remember the infinite well of refreshment afforded us.
God’s ways and works are past finding out; but He does reveal the way of life that pleases Him (Jn 14:6; Heb 11:6). This is the way of walking in faith in Christ Jesus (Acts 16:31; 2 Cor 5:7), the wisdom and the power of God (1 Cor 1:24). All things come to us from Him (Rom 11:36); therefore, our stewardship insists on diversification of investment in the kingdom of God. Our wise investment is to take the mammon of unrighteousness and make friends for eternal habitations (Lk 16:9), that is, to store up our treasure in heaven (Mt 6:20).
Let us, therefore, not be passive in the work given to us to do, whether it be with mind or hands; but let us always begin and end our activities with prayer to Him who orders all things that will be. May the Lord bless and confirm the work He has given His people to do. Finally, may the blessing of work and the reward of work also give you joy. No sense waiting…time to get after it.
David Norczyk
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
September 19, 2025
Ecclesiastes 11:1–10
