In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
Solomon had often, in this book, pressed it upon rich people to take the comfort of their riches themselves; here he presses it upon them to do good to others with them and to abound in liberality to the poor, which will, another day, abound to their account. Observe, I. How the duty itself is recommended to us, Ecc 11:1. 1.
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
In the morning sow thy seed,.... Do all good works early and diligently, which is expressed by sowing in righteousness, Hos 10:12; particularly alms deeds, often signified by sowing seed, Psa 112:9, Co2 9:6; this should be in the morning of youth, that persons may be inured to it betimes as Obadiah was; and in the morning of prosperity, as soon as ever Providence smiles...
morning . . . evening--early and late; when young and when old; in sunshine and under clouds. seed--of godly works (Hos 10:12; Co2 9:10; Gal 6:7). prosper-- (Isa 55:10-11). both . . . alike--Both the unpromising and the promising sowing may bear good fruit in others; certainly they shall to the faithful sower.