Our bodies can’t live forever in this present state. That is why we must do what we have been assigned to do to build the kingdom of God.
King Solomon acknowledges that God has given His people the hope of eternity.
“God makes all things from the beginning to the end,” Ecclesiastes 3:11.
This is why we live wisely, remembering that He is present each day, and leading us as we learn to obey Him and follow His guidelines for living. When we realize that God will evaluate all that we do, we honor and put Him first so we can know His ways. This is why, with God, all things are possible. But with man, it’s impossible. As God’s people, we accomplish each task that is assigned to us.
God’s assignment is God’s responsibility, and we are assigned to work not a task. We do the work of the kingdom, not the task of the kingdom. This is why we know what we are doing; we are not just guessing what to do.
Solomon affirms the value of wisdom, knowledge, relationship, work, and pleasure as the confidence we have in God. God is the only sound basis for living. Without God, there is no lasting reward or benefit in the work that is done.
As we build our relationship with Him and seek His guidance, God’s overall plan and purpose will be fulfilled. We rejoice for we are using all the gifts that come from God. So when He says, ‘well done,’ we know that we did what He placed us on the earth to do (Ecclesiastes 4:1-6).
An opportunist is someone who takes advantage of an opportunity, usually for selfish purposes. This selfish purpose, or selfish goal, models a person’s behavior that is driven by envy, greed, and a constant desire to stay ahead of everyone else. This type of person always needs the best out of everything, heart, and soul. There’s the need for self-satisfaction, and that’s inconsiderate. This person looks at the existence of self and no other person. If it’s not revolving around them, they are bored to death by any other conversation. But they could talk about themselves all day. This is the heart and soul of that person.
I look at how people are being mistreated everywhere on earth. They are crying out from oppression, and they have no one to comfort them. The oppressor, the one who mistreats the oppressed, has power. The one that is driven by envy, greed, and the desire to stay ahead of everyone else is powerful in their own way—not caring, not looking at the ways of others, being selfish.
When we are envious of our neighbor, this is vanity (excessive envy of others) –self-admiration, self-love, self-regard, and a vexation of spirit (to suppress the Holy Spirit). They exclaim, “I don’t need God. I don’t need people. I don’t need you. I have me.”
This spirit is like a plague. It spreads; it’s contagious; it rubs off on people and becomes a part of your DNA and culture.
Ask yourself, is this you? Not willing to obey the Spirit of God? Not willing to see the good in others? Are you selfish or selfless? Or will you rise up as a Kingdom leader and walk in God’s divine providence?
