Ecclesiastes 11:1

1. Cast thy bread upon the waters This metaphor is to be explained from the form of eastern loaves, which from all time have been thin and flat, and float off like shingles on a stream. The “bread” passes from sight and reach swiftly, and apparently beyond recovery, like our hard tack not soaking and falling apart readily, and may be sometimes recovered far down the stream. The scope of this verse is hypothetical, or of a supposed case. “Though one cast his bread upon the surface of a stream, he may, though long after, find it again.” That is, an investment, whether of toil, of benevolent giving, or good doing, which shows little promise of being remunerative, may in the end prove extremely advantageous. This prepares us for the precept next following.