GOD’S GIFT (ECCLESIASTES 3:9-22)

REFLECTION The God’s gift is the theme for our reflection. A gift is a thing given willingly to someone without payment. King Solomon has observed that God’s gift to humanity is the enjoyment of fruits of their labour. “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Aug 18, 2022

2–3 minutes

REFLECTION

The God’s gift is the theme for our reflection. A gift is a thing given willingly to someone without payment. King Solomon has observed that God’s gift to humanity is the enjoyment of fruits of their labour. “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man…So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot…” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 22)

Dear friends, God’s gift to human beings is joy which is derived from hard work, diligence and pleasure. This joy is found in the pleasure of eating and drinking from the toil of one’s own labour or effort. Unfortunately many fall sick or even die without enjoying God’s gift because they become overwhelmingly obsessed with work and amassing wealth which they hardly make time to enjoy. Beloved in the Lord, life is short! Even as you work to invest in the future and to create wealth today, be mindful and take keen interested in your health, relaxation and pleasure. Your body, spirit and soul need rest and pleasure after continuous hustle and struggles. Even machines are made to rest and are serviced after long hours of working, how much more human beings. Many people refuse to rest and enjoy the gift of God which is their work and the fruits of their labour, they would rather abuse energy drink and substances with caffeine and glucose to boost their energy so they could overwork the body, only to develop ailments which will involve using substantial part of the money saved or wealth created through their lives for medical bills. Let us not live life of vanity by preoccupying ourselves with only hard work and hustling for money but also make time to rest and enjoy the gift of God in the form of pleasure. In other words eating good food, drink water and good beverages to the glory of God. Shalom.

PRAYER

Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of work and pleasure. Grant us the wisdom to live a balanced life so that we will be good stewards of our bodies. Amen.