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"A time to gain"

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:6

OBSERVATIONS OF LIFE IV

Life has many paradoxes. It also sees reversals sometimes. Our challenge is to be able to accept and to adapt to all the challenges that may occur.

“A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away.”
Ecclesiastes 3:6

1. “A time to gain”

a) Everybody wants to be a winner.

b) People set up businesses to get gain.

c) Opportunities are always there.

d) Gain is not a wrong goal at all.

e) Gain is possible to:

i) The diligent.

ii) To the hardworking.

iii) To the one who fears God.

2. “And a time to lose”

a) Losses must also be considered.

b) Losses may bring some pain.

c) A sense of defeat may also be felt.

d) But losses happen:

i) Mishaps

ii) Mistakes

iii) Difficulties and challenges

iv) National disasters (like the pandemic Covid-19)

3. “A time to keep”

a) It is natural to keep things we deem precious:

i) Mementoes/ keepsakes.

ii) Physical things that have special memories attached.

b) It is not wrong to keep things we consider treasures.

i) But we are reminded that the things of earth will not last forever.

ii) Many things are short-lived.

4. “And a time to throw away”

a) This is not an easy mindset to cultivate.

b) It is even harder to put into practise.

c) There are times when things have to be “thrown away” literally.

It is hard to see this done.

d) It takes a very strong and mature person to do this.

i) To accept change.

ii) To adapt to the changing world.

iii) The old ways were never meant to last.

iv) We need not be overly upset when we are asked to “throw away,” that is, “to put away” what we may be familiar with.

v) We need to learn how to live in a new and different world.