Ecclesiastes 3

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After all, is said and done, God has given us three things according to Ecclesiastes 3 and they are what we see in verse 13: eat, drink and work hard.  We must understand that each of us has an assignment to do.  We are all one body and many members.  If we all took care of what it took to be what we have been given to do, we will work as one complete unit.  For example, my left eye was made to see from the left side of my face.  It does not argue with my liver.  My liver is a part of me, you do not see, but it is doing what is designed to do.  We must function as God has gifted us and know that is the only part we have to give into account.  There is no need for judging and being full of pride.  We have been given our portion and God wants us to have a good time carrying it out. God told us that we were given a season and time within the season.  In our season we must take heed to apply ourselves to the will of God.  Inside of our season, we have time; we must take the time to accept Jesus as our Lord and live life enjoying doing what we were created to do.  Keep life simple, learn God's ways and have fun living life!!!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 (KJV) 1 To every

 [thing there is]  (: being each individual or part of a class or group whether definite or indefinite in number without exception)

a season, and a time to every purpose ( : something that one sets before himself as an object to be attained : an end or aim to be kept in view in any plan, measure, exertion, or operation ) under the heaven:

Each person has a season ( an allotted time) and each person has a time for every purpose (

: something that one sets before himself as an object to be attained : an end or aim to be kept in view in any plan, measure, exertion, or operation under God).  

 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted; 

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 

What control does man have?  Since a season has been allocated for each of us,  what is the gain in what we do?   Since we are members of a body, we must think in terms of occupying our portion. I must enjoy my assignment.

10 I have seen the travail,  ( the hard work ) which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 

God meant for every part of the body to work hard.

 For example, every vein, every artery, or every  hair connected in the body of Christ must not and will not malfunction.

11 He hath made every [thing] beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

He thought of each of us and since the body is beautiful, then every person he created is as beautiful as he designed.  Separately we are nothing.

12 I know that [there is] no good in them, but for [a man] to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 

There is no good in anyone on his own.  Each one of us is to be happy functioning in his place.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it [is] the gift of God. 

Individuals should eat, drink and enjoy all of their assignment , it is a gift  

: a special or notable capacity, talent, or endowment either inherent, acquired, or given by a deity ).  from God.  

14 I know that, (: the person, thing, or idea pointed to, mentioned, or understood from the situation : the one indicated ) whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

  The individual God assigns should respond as God is the only one looking.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 

What God spoke one time is still required.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there. 

God judges every, wicked or righteous.

17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there  ( in or at that place) for every purpose

( : something that one sets before himself as an object to be attained : an end or aim to be kept in view in any plan, measure, exertion, or operation ) and for every work. 

God will supervise each person's work.  He will make sure that each purpose is functioning.

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

A man of himself is a beast.

 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all [is] vanity. 

man vs beast

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? 

22 Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

I've come to realize that a man should stay in his position and do well.  Why should he be concerned about what will happen after him?   ( who is going to take his place or after he is gone?)