Day 9: The Danger of Presumptuous Planning
Read James 4:13-5:6
Context: What attitude towards the future and material success is James confronting in both the merchants (4:13-17) and the wealthy landowners (5:1-6)?
We should get the idea by now that James isn’t plucking random issues out of thin air. He has been making it clear that there are certain folks who shouldn’t expect to get anything from God, and the merchants and wealthy landowners typify exactly the sort of folks James has been highlighting. They have no reverence for God and certainly little care for others. Their wisdom can be seen as earthly, unspiritual and demonic. They’re more interested in indulging themselves and pronouncing what their next exploit is about.
Content: What does James teach about the uncertainty of life and the dangers of wealth accumulated through injustice?
God is in charge. Not us. What matters are the things of a spiritual nature, rather than the material that is here today and gone tomorrow. Holding such a careful perspective on life will mean we won’t be hung up on the physical and material riches as though they’re the things that matter. It will also give us due reverence for God, who holds all life in His hands and knows when our time on earth will end, as well as what may happen between now and that departure. And as He knows, we avoid getting all assumptive about how we’ll spend our time.
Meanwhile, the pursuit of material benefits at the expense of others, along with active participation in exploiting the poor for personal gain, is something God sees and will address in accordance with His character of justice. God sees and knows and is duly disgusted by such behaviour, which, as we know, is in line with breaking the whole law, let alone the royal law. We know God ain’t gonna let something that outrageous and egregious slip through without His final say on the matter. And if we don’t know, He’ll help us to know … eternally.
Concept: How should awareness of life’s brevity and God’s sovereignty influence our planning and use of resources?
We’re following on from teaching that encourages us to repent of our nasty beliefs and behaviours, which have nothing to do with any claim of belonging to God. The cure for such a condition was humility and submission under the might hands of God. We are not moving from the posture of humility before God when it comes to how we manage the time and resources. God gives us the time. God gives us the resources. God is expecting us to manage both under His rule. He expects us to continue acknowledging Him in how we manage those aspects. Our appreciation of beauty’s presence and fleeting nature keeps us mindful of our short span, and so we don’t want to operate in any other way than being rooted in Him. Rooted in thanksgiving for what He gives. Rooted in dependence on His wisdom and knowledge, we manage the time and resources He gives, aiming to please Him.
Conclusion: How do these warnings challenge your own approach to future planning, wealth, and treatment of others, particularly those in vulnerable positions?
These teachings by James bring to mind key lessons God has taught me over the years to live light. Light from being burdened by the world’s approach to things, time and people. Live in the light of knowing that God wants my worship of Him to result in trusting Him with the time and resources, and to love everyone, regardless of their financial status, as precious in His sight and worthy of respect and honour. This applies to those who are vulnerable, meaning it’s crucial that I follow Jesus’ example in ensuring each person is seen, known, and loved, so they have every opportunity to thrive in the God of our salvation.
Next Up – James – Day 10: Patience in Suffering
Read James 5:7-12
Context: Why does James return to the theme of patient endurance, and how does this connect with his earlier teaching about trials?
Content: What examples does James provide of patience, and what motivation does he give for enduring hardship?
Concept: How does the promise of the Lord’s return influence how believers should respond to present suffering and treat one another?
Conclusion: In what current situations do you need to apply James’ teaching about patience, and how can you better support others who are suffering?
When we recognise the precarious nature of life, we can appreciate the need not to be presumptuous but to be prayerful and trusting in God alone. That’s another reason to get the Word In so we can get the Word Out!
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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