Opportunities, in life

Scripture views life as divinely ordained to include occasions when certain forms of behaviour are appropriate.

The need to discern opportune moments

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

Every possible opportunity should be taken to do good

Galatians 6:10 See also Luke 10:33; John 9:4; Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:2

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Examples of individuals who seized opportunities to serve God

Rahab saved the spies and her household: Joshua 2:8–14, Joshua 6:23; 2 Kings 5:1–3 Naaman's wife's maid helped Naaman by telling her mistress about Elisha; Nehemiah 2:2–5 Nehemiah gained permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.; Esther 4:14, Esther 7:3–6; Daniel 2:14–16 Daniel offered to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream; Acts 18:24–26 Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos.

Some opportunities should be rejected

1 Samuel 24:3–4, 1 Samuel 24:10, 1 Samuel 26:6–11

Opportunities to do evil may have appalling consequences

Genesis 4:8 Cain made an opportunity to murder Abel; Genesis 25:29–31 Jacob took the opportunity to “buy” Esau's birthright.; Genesis 37:18–20, Genesis 37:27; Daniel 6:4–5 Daniel's enemies sought and found an opportunity to lay a charge against him.; Matthew 26:16 parallels Mark 14:11, Luke 22:6

Giving others an opportunity to do wrong must be avoided

1 Timothy 5:14