3. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. 4. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Most news agencies will report these times are tough. Even though most people are working, many churches report giving is down. People will use their money to pay off bills, reduce debt, and save in case they lose their jobs, but what about the priority of giving to the Lord?
The principle of tithing was established in the Old Testament as 10% for rich or poor. It was a fair way to show that all we have belongs to God. It was a portion of who we are and what we do. It was an expression of faith to worship the God in whom we trust. We do not trust our riches, but our Lord.
Solomon talks about the fact that the Lord, not humans, knows the future. There are principles we live by, but who can control the rain or if it’s time for a tree to fall on its own or not? How do we live in unsettled times?
The answer is to be faithful in what you are doing day by day. Do not worry about things over which you have no control. If someone is worried about the wind, then they will not plant. It is an excuse for laziness or anxiety to get in the way of faith and labor. If we are always thinking it will rain and don't do anything, thinking that we might get wet, then we will never do anything. If worried about the clouds and not just going at it, you will never get to the job. There are some projects that I don't particularly like and when I say I'll do them sometime when I have time on my hands, they never get done.
Incidentally this seems to be just another illustration of God's work within the womb. The sanctity of life and even a fetus is part of God's handiwork and with all the talk and the legislation about abortions and rights of mothers to their own bodies and can do what they want, the Bible says we are not our own. We belong to the Lord. It is a national, social problem when tax money or proposed national health care funds can go to perform abortions which kill unborn and the rates are rising. Abortion should be concern for all Christians. Who can explain the one who is formed in the womb? If you cannot understand God’s work in the womb, who is the maker of all things, it is selfish to kill a baby in the womb by putting to death God’s creation made in His image.
Application: Solomon preaches that only God, who made the body and created you and me, knows our end and how our days are numbered, so, live today for Him in labor and love, not laziness and anxiety. Continue to bless as you have been blessed. Trust the Lord with your riches, not the government.
Prayer: Lord, because I don't understand all things, I look to you and I desire to live by faith trusting you for the outcome. Empower me to do that daily in the mighty name of Jesus.
