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            As the month of November arrives it is at this time of year that many people think about and express thanksgiving for the material things in life, and Solomon notes God’s provisions in this passage as the gift of God. Previously in the chapter Solomon had said “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and then he expresses the various stages, joys, and responsibilities in life. The question is then asked, “What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?” (Ecclesiastes 3:9). What is the profit? The wise man Solomon wrote, “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor – it is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13). Let’s consider that last statement, “it is the gift of God”. Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes presenting two perspectives of human life. One perspective was a world without God regarding people that do not believe in God. The other perspective was the same world with work, life, difficulties, and problems, but regarding people that do believe in God.  What then is the “gift of God” within this context?
            One of the gifts of God is to be able to rejoice in labor and life. “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice…” It is true the material world is temporary (2 Peter 3:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-4) and all that is made and done here will be left to another generation someday and or will not exist someday, but Solomon says that with God there is reason for rejoicing in life itself. That fact becomes more real for the believer in God when Solomon lived and the Christian today. Paul wrote that Christians are to, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). In spite of life’s difficulties that come through work, health issues, and many other problems, there is a rejoicing that is higher and deeper than the material. In the same way, there is a labor in life that will not be burned up, for those that are in the Lord. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the world from now on, yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). There is a gift of rejoicing in life for the Christian.
            One of the gifts of God is to be able to do good. “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives…” The great amount of crime, corruption, scamming, deception, and sin exists because people are not doing good in their lives and trying to do harm to others. The gift of God is that human beings can labor and provide for their need and do good in their lives. Paul wrote to the brethren in Galatia, “And let us not be weary in well doing (doing good), for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). That verse relates to the verse that was cited from the book of Revelation. Paul went on to write, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). The gift of God is to do good.
            At this cultural time of the year, many are thankful for the material, however, as Christians our thanksgiving reaches beyond the material into an eternal thanksgiving. The gift that God has given all to rejoice and do good, and specifically as Christians to rejoice in the Lord and to do good unto all men. As Solomon wrote, “…it is the gift of God”.