Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters
Dirkie Joubert's book Crab Soup and Other Stories is full of little gems - such as the story of four young men who arrived at their house one rainy night looking for a place to stay. Dirkie's father told them that they didn't have much, but that they were welcome to stay. He had his daughters come and sleep in their little shop so that the strangers could use the beds that they had, and this really irritated young Dirkie, as you can imagine.
God's Perfect Timing
The next morning the men got up and went on their way, and Dirkie didn't think of it again, until eight years later, when she was travelling with her father and the family. Something went wrong with their oxen, but some local farmers saw what happened and came rushing to help. Once they had done what they could to get the oxen going again, Dirkie's father was looking to pay them for assisting the family, but the two farmers said "it costs nothing!" When Dirkie's father insisted on paying them, they said "Don't you recognise us Oom (uncle)? You gave us food and shelter all those years ago. We've never forgotten that night and we are so glad that today we have the opportunity of rendering you this little friendship out of gratitude."
Dirkie's father thanked them and off they went. Later that day he sat down with his kids and said "children, you must never begrudge doing a kindness to strangers. The Bible tells us, 'Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days'. My bread has returned to me in full measure!"
Dirkie was so ashamed of her earlier attitude, and as I read that, I too thought about times where I have not been generous, where I have been selfish and thoughtless. I wondered, as I read that, if God was calling me to a life of greater selflessness. A life of greater generosity and giving.
Opportunities for Kindness
Think for a moment about the next few days you are facing. What opportunities might you have to 'cast your bread upon the waters'? When the opportunity comes, will you be ready? Will you reach out in kindness and help somebody? Or will you leave the generosity ungiven?
Piet Joubert found that kindness and hospitality are rewarded by God in a fascinating way. I pray that you and I will be radically kind and hospitable today - not only will somebody's life be touched by our compassionate actions, but we can know that God sees what we give and will return it to us, in full measure, in His way.
