I. You do not know, v.1-6. One does not know what God is going to do in the future. How then, should we live? v.1 - Solomon offers a wisdom statement toward what we now would call — investing. Put it out there and let it come back to you. “…a widespread and wholesale distribution of what is good will result in a generous return in the time of harvest.” (MacDonald) Whether a reference to trade, farming, or benevolence — the meaning holds true. I suspect trade is the most likely target of Solomon’s meaning given: 1) He was a king, 2) He was known to import and export broadly. Instead of putting grain into barns for storage, ship it off. Let it bring back the proceeds of foreign trade. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. v.2 works well with this. (2) Put your grain on 7 or 8 ships and spread out your risk. In business, do not put all your eggs into one basket. Still, there is the farming approach to this proverb. In this time there was a known Egyptian agricultural practice in which seed was placed in the Nile River at its low point and then took root & grew when the river overflowed its banks. If this was that which the preacher was referencing, we can come to know the wisdom and use it in lots of areas. MacArthur takes this approach to interpreting Solomon’s meaning: “Take a calculated and wise step forward in life, like a farmer who throws his seed on the wet or marshy ground and waits for it to grow.” Again, v.2 — plant more than 1 crop? More than 1 season? v.6 says similar. (“Make hay while the sun shines”) Rather than simply taking your chances and calling it “faith”. Plan for an uncertain and possibly unfortunate future. There is also wisdom here for our benevolence. Consider the notion. We observe in farming and in foreign trade that what we put out there as seed eventually brings back fruit. Shouldn’t we be givers based upon the same understanding? Martin Luther said, “Be generous to everyone while you can, use your riches wherever you can possibly do any good.” Likely even an application to be made for our evangelism. Send the gospel out there. Give it in 7 or 8 ways. Ministries. Places. Ryken said, “Whenever we engage in kingdom enterprises, we offer the Holy Spirit something he can and often will use to save people’s souls.” Ills: George Whitefield was preaching outside the courthouse in Philadelphia. On one occasion, a young man, holding a lantern, struggled through the crowd and stood near him. He became so absorbed in what he heard that the lantern fell from his hand and crashed to the ground, disturbing the preacher and angering the crowd. The boy was very embarrassed. Many years later, during Whitefield’s fifth trip to America, he met a prominent minister. As they talked together the minister asked Whitefield if he remembered the incident. ‘Oh yes,’ said Whitefield, ‘I remember it well, and have often thought I would give anything in my power to know who that little boy was, and what had become of him.’ The minister replied, ‘I am that little boy.’ Let’s bring this all together. Handle your spiritual business the same you would your financial business. “What we invest in the kingdom of God—our time, our talent, our treasure—is never wasted. But if we want the blessings that God loves to give, we need to exercise our faith…” (Ryken) How are you investing your time, talents, treasure? Inside all of this wisdom, there is also a warning. You do not know. (2b, 5a, 5c, 6b) There is a way to invest, a way to work, a way to give which is wise. Still, there is uncertainty. We don’t know what evil may come. (2) We do not know the ways and works of God. (5) Thus, we just can’t know the outcomes of life. (6) This is hard, since we for sure know some things. v.3 - You can tell it is going to rain by seeing the clouds full of water. v.3 - no matter the direction it falls…a tree will lay right where it fell. v.4 - Thus, some will not work because they are trying to avoid risk. v.5 - Since you don’t know the ways of God… v.6 - Be actively involved in the life God has given you. Don’t let risk potential keep you from generously investing yourself into life. With an awareness of the risk, plan for it, attempt to plan around it, but all the while “go for it” in life! “Rather than watching the wind and the clouds, imagining all the difficulties and waiting for better circumstances, we should try and do what we can with whatever God has given us in life. Get involved in ministry. Show mercy to someone in need. Start a friendship with a neighbor, and pray that God will use that relationship to lead your neighbor to Christ. Do not hold back because of fear, but step out by faith—not faith that your own efforts will succeed, necessarily, but faith that God will take what you offer and use it in some way for his glory.” (Ryken) Derek Kinder writes, “If there are risks in everything, it is better to fail in launching out than in hugging one’s resources to oneself.” That is faith — faith in God who is omniscient. II. God Knows All, v.7-10. You don’t know, but God knows all! The remaining verses lay out some facts we must consider: v.7-8 — death is coming. The light of the sun while living above the earth is sweet. So rejoice in the days of your life, because it will end. v.9-10 — God will judge. Don’t live in fear, nor in evil pleasures. Rejoice, go after the desires of your heart. What will keep the balance? Knowing that God knows all! Consider, all that God Knows. God, unlike any other being…has a perfect knowledge of Himself. Nothing ever occurs to God about God. All three persons of the God-head know each other fully. Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” John 10:15, “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 1 Corinthians 2:11, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” God also has knowledge of all other things. He never learns anything new. Nothing ever surprises Him. He never misunderstands or is confused. He knows things as they truly are. We can trust His knowledge of all things. His knowledge is exhaustive. This is a comfort and a warning. He knows the unseen details of your life. There is nothing hidden from Him. Still, His wisdom is — enjoy your life! Conclusion: Andrew Murray has written, “Lord, how terrible is Thine omniscience for Thine enemies. That eye which burns in heaven as a flame of fire is always upon them. They would fain flee away from it, but they are never able. But for Thy people, Thine omniscience is a comfort and a refuge. Thou art He who can help them against themselves and the deceitfulness of their own hearts. They invite Thine omniscience to search their heart and to cleanse them from their secret faults.” We know some things, but we don’t know everything. God knows all. Let this be a comfort to you up against the fears of life. Have no fear: When an opportunity for a venture is before you. When an emotion toward generosity is within you. When the call to evangelism is upon you.