Solomon’s Final Conclusion
Ecclesiastes 9:1 - 12:14
“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” - Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 NIV
Not much is known of Solomon’s personal life. Archeologists worldwide struggled to find a shred of evidence that he actually lived at all. Then came British marine archaeologist Dr Sean Kingsley. He spread his research net far and wide and found out that Solomon not only lived but was the world’s first shipping magnate. According to Kingsley Solomon worked with his allies the Phoenicians, who were ship builders. He acquired much wealth thru his shipping endeavors. * This is no doubt where the advice from the first two verses of chapter 11 come from.
There’s an adage “You must spend money to make money.” Solomon is sharing with his readers to be adventurous with respect to spreading your investments around in many directions … in other words - diversify. Also be generous, for those who are generous are thought of highly and well respected. Solomon wrote in his Proverbs (11:24) “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
In those days when a ship left port with your goods on it to sell in a foreign land there was no way of knowing if the ship would arrive at its desired destination, let alone return with payment for the goods or a return shipment of goods in a barter type of arrangement.
Make wise investments, however, when an endeavor fails, as some surely will, do not become paralyzed with fear and become overly cautious. Another adage fits here - “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Old Testament; NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible; NIV Quest Study Bible Notes & NIV Study Bible Notes
* Information from www.theguardian.com.
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