As we continue in the book of James, we bring to the end chapter 4. James as taught us about temptations and our responses. He has warned us of the power of our tongue and now, time to deal with some character.

¹³ Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵ What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. – James 4:13-17 NLT

The challenge with this section of James is context, especially if we just dive right into these words and try to apply them to our lives. It has been noted that James was addressing what me might call “wealthy” or “well-off” Christians of his day.

As usual, James carefully avoids calling them rich, but it is obvious that they have some possessions, for they can engage in foreign trade. Their plans are normal plans: travel to a certain city, sell the goods they brought with them and perhaps purchase others, and make money. Is this not the way business is done?

While the picture of the brevity of life is drawn from the OT, the idea of the foolishness of planning without taking God’s values into account is Jesus’ teaching in Lk. 12

¹⁶ And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, ¹⁷ and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ²¹ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:16-21 ESV

What are some of your experiences or insights about our plans and God’s plans?

James’s point is not simply that they ought to preface all of their plans with, If it is the Lord’s will. That would be a lip-service to God. It is so easy to have good intentions, get distracted and in our own flesh, strive for approval and achievements.  What we are striving for is not necessarily bad, but it is not always God’s will. Many times it is a good thought or suggestion, put into action and a quick conference with the Holy Spirit, clarifying our intentions and seeking spiritual approval.  That is not a healthy way to seek God’s will.

The rich Christians James is referring to is challenging them in their integrity. They claim to followers of Jesus, but they really are not much different than the unbelievers.  We can face this same challenge today.  In our personal decisions we can wrestle with making decisions to be like Jesus or be like the world.

Instead, James wants them to seek God’s plan and follow God’s will in their use of money. This appears in his comment that they boast and brag, or, better translated, ‘boast in their pride’. What type of pride is this? 1 Jn. 2:16 uses the same term for ‘the boasting of [or pride in] what [a person] has and does’.

¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. – 1 John 2:16 ESV

They are laying plans that God did not make, claiming an ability to control life which they do not have, and boasting about the good deals they will make. This is no more and no less than love of the world.

What are some of your insights and challenges with worldly plans and God’s will?

Remaining in the context of James’ audience. Again, if we just take it out of context we don’t get the point James was addressing.

A one-line proverb drives the point home. These people are in the church and certainly each one knows the good he ought to do. Why not consult God and ask him what ought to be done with the money? Perhaps they do not do this out of fear that God would ask them to share it with others. They do not do that good, so they are sinning. There is no theft or immorality or other crime staining their hands. They are just honest businessmen, but they sin just as much in failing to do the good they could as if they actually committed evil acts. In either case God’s teaching is being ignored.

We need to realize that many judge their actions and motivations towards the world, not sinning against a brother. Not doing anything wrong. But there is a bigger spiritual battle going on that is testing our decisions and motivations with God.  All of us can take actions in this world and feel we did well, when actually we might have actually just taken the path or least resistance; we did not cause any commotion, no one is mad at us. Then in our reality check with God, we find we were supposed to stand up and lead well. We were supposed to not be passive and let people in world believe their actions were okay.

This week, let is be quick to run to the Lord for discernment, direction and guidance. Let us remember that He is a good, loving Father. He would not take away anything to hurt us. We need to trust in him more during times of challenges, instead of using our own thoughts and desires, only to turn and seek His approval.  As a man of Christian integrity, we need to seek wholeness in Christ and not just be good people in the world.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Davids, P. H. (1994). James. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed.). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.