"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." - (Ecc. 11:1).
And interesting story was recently published by the Associated Press about a Denver history teacher named Dick Jordan. It seems that since 1962 he had been inviting his students and former students to meet him at the Denver Public Library on New Year's Day in 2000. They were asked to bring a dollar to finance a trip he planned to make to Tahiti after his retirement from teaching. Amazingly more than 100 showed up and brought $750. It was all a joke, of course, and intended only for fun. Jordan was overwhelmed by the unexpected response and the money was contributed to a soup kitchen. The story doesn't end there, though. Jordan's phone rang a few days later. Air France had heard about the story and wanted to provide an all expenses paid trip to Tahiti. So, Dick Jordan got his trip after all.
This is a great example of serendipity. Dick Jordan never really thought he'd get to go to Tahiti free because his students would show up on New Year's Day and give him enough money to finance the trip. But his human interest story caught the notice of others who appreciated his lively imagination, and to his surprised delight they provided the way for him to make the trip.
This illustrates the truth of Ecc. 11:1. When we do good for nothing more than the good that comes from it without expecting anything in return, the good we do comes back to bless us. Jesus said, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." - (Mt. 10:42). Good should be done without thought of reward; but good done in this way usually has its own certain rewards. THINK ABOUT IT!
Lonnie Ritchie