Ecclesiastes 11:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Everything that will come to pass amounts to vanity. Do good without partiality, and maintain your acts of kindness consistently. Let the truth of the dawn be reflected in the dusk, and let the evening's generosity be revived at daybreak. The precise work that delights God remains unknown, as well as the fruits of righteousness that result from these endeavors, for it could be that both are equally acceptable in His sight. You ought to exhibit steadfastness in both youth and old age. Do not claim, "I have labored during my youth; now I deserve to rest in my later years." For you cannot ascertain whether during your youth or in your seasoned years you will bring joy to God. Moreover, refraining from sin in your youth holds no value if your old age is marked by indulgence.

If you plant at the appropriate moment, you will reap the harvest when the time comes, as it's uncertain which of the crops will flourish most abundantly. How wonderful it would be if everything were good!

Let us now take a moment to ponder the significance of the word, as the philosopher who examined creation suggested, and understand its strength. “In the morning sow your seed,” he instructed, “and in the evening do not let your hand rest.” I propose, in the limitations of my own understanding, that the morning represents the childhood of mankind, while the evening signifies old age. During youth, everyone requires teaching and direction to steer clear of sin. Similarly, one must recall the transgressions committed in the early stages of life, represented by childhood, and avoid becoming a self-appointed guide for one’s own heart. Instead, one should aspire to be a learner within the Church, a community for all, and attentively engage with the Scriptures, which are divinely inspired, to avoid foolishness and to prevent stumbling, thus allowing for renewal through repentance.

Solomon stated: Do not withhold your labor in the morning, referring to prayer, and in the evening do not cease your efforts, for if your prayers become sporadic, you may forfeit their rightful blessing during the time of petition. This is so because you cannot predict which approach may yield greater results (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

One should always be willing to perform acts of kindness, regardless of whether there is any expectation of reward; often, in due time, such good deeds are recognized (11:1). We ought to extend our generosity to as many individuals as possible, as amid unforeseen calamities, at least one person may come to our aid (2). Achieving fruitful outcomes (‘reap’) requires both favorable conditions established by God and human initiative (*sow*); there are instances where the causes and effects are evident to humanity (e.g., when clouds are laden, they release rain on the earth, or when a tree has fallen, it remains where it lies) (3).