Cast Your Bread on the Waters

11 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, [be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions], for you will ^[a]find it after many days.

⁴² And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.”

⁴⁰ The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’^(A)

⁶ Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows ^[a]generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap ^[b]generously [and be blessed]. ⁷ Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].^{(A) 8} And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

¹⁰ For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God’s people), as you do.