Ecclesiastes 11:2

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

Cross-references

1 Timothy 6:19 connects generosity to storing up treasure for the future — the same prudent investment logic as here.

Acts 11:28-30 shows the early church actively sharing resources during a famine — a direct application of dividing portions for uncertain times.

Daniel 4:27 Parallel

Daniel 4:27 advises doing right and being kind to the oppressed as a way to prolong prosperity — parallels the wisdom of sharing to hedge against misfortune.

Matthew 5:42 echoes the open-handed giving ethos of Ecclesiastes 11:2, urging generosity without reservation.

Acts 2:45 Parallel

Acts 2:45 shows the early church distributing possessions to meet needs — a concrete example of giving portions as Ecclesiastes urges.

Luke 12:17 Contrast

Luke 12:17 shows the rich fool hoarding instead of giving — the opposite response to life's uncertainty that Ecclesiastes warns against.

Luke 6:38 Parallel

Luke 6:38 promises reciprocal blessing for generous giving — directly echoing the principle of portioning out to others.

1 Samuel 25:11 is Nabal's refusal to give — a direct contrast to Ecclesiastes' command to divide generously, highlighting greed vs generosity.

Ezekiel 18:16 lists giving bread to the hungry as a mark of righteousness, parallel to Ecclesiastes' call to give portions.

Isaiah 58:7 Parallel

Isaiah 58:7 expands on the same duty to share with the needy, linking it to true righteousness and worship.

Proverbs 31:20 exemplifies the active generosity toward the needy that Ecclesiastes 11:2 counsels.

Proverbs 22:9 reinforces the virtue of sharing bread with the poor, echoing the 'give a portion' exhortation.

Proverbs 14:21 extends the principle: generosity to the poor brings blessing, aligning with the call to give widely in Ecclesiastes.

Proverbs 11:24 directly echoes the paradox — scattering (giving) leads to increase, just as Ecclesiastes says divide your portion to many.

Psalm 41:1 Parallel

Psalm 41:1 promises blessing for considering the helpless — directly aligning with Ecclesiastes' call to give to many because you don't know what trouble may come.

Matthew 25:35 turns giving into serving Christ himself — deepening the call to share portions with those in need.

Matthew 6:2 Parallel

Matthew 6:2 adds a caution: give without fanfare, complementing the call to give widely with the right motive.

Luke 11:41 Parallel

Luke 11:41 links giving alms to inner purity — broadening charity from a disaster precaution to a spiritual discipline.

Ephesians 5:16 also urges wise action in evil days — redeeming time, echoing Ecclesiastes' call to generous action amid uncertainty.

2 Samuel 17:29 describes providing food for David's weary people — a concrete example of dividing to many in need, as Ecclesiastes instructs.