The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by an unknown author, a Jewish philosopher who calls himself “the Preacher.” Elizabeth Sands Turner writes in Let there be Light that it was written in the vein of Solomon, meaning it holds much wisdom.
A common interpretation of the above passage is that if a person is generous and shares with others, God will reward him or her. Most commentary written about the above verse is often about humankind’s need to be generous and give without expectation of return.
Another interpretation I heard recently was that this was written for an agrarian society and that when the rains came, they often were torrential and water went all through the village and into homes. If you cast your bread upon the waters they would be swept away. When the rains receded, (reseeded) the seeds that had been cast would spring up along the route so that one could walk along their path knowing there would be grain to eat.
Lets take this passage into us, and see how metaphysically it supports our life today.
Charles Fillmore writes in Revealing Word that “bread” represents universal substance . We ask for our Daily Bread, in the form of food. Also there is substance in our words, for they too are seeds which contain life. When we speak words of Love, of Wisdom, of Truth to our Being, we are casting those seeds unto the waters of our own Being and they take root and grow.
I know from experience when I love myself enough to take care of myself, get enough sleep, am conscious of what I eat and give myself permission to practice meditation, exercise, such as yoga or Pilates, and I am doing this from a love of life, then these actions give me more energy and create in me a sense of satisfaction and strength as I walk along my path.
“Nevertheless, I am willing to cast my bread upon the waters. I am willing to do what is mine to do to be healthy, to be kind, to be generous, to be compassionate . For it is in the giving that we receive.
The Bible is filled with wisdom. Metaphysics gives us a clear understanding of how these seeds of truth take root and grow our spiritual understanding of life today.