James 4:16: As It Is, You Boast In Your Arrogance

James 4:16
[16] As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. (ESV)

Every now and again I stumble into a conversation that people are having about all of their investments and material possessions. This is a discussion I am very ill equipped to engage in. My retirement plan involves me working until the day before my funeral. I am not recommending my plan, by the way.

James describes arrogant boasting. To find out what boasting he is referring to you have to go back a few verses to verse 13 where he talks about those who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit." James calls this boasting, not just arrogant, but evil. Strong words.

What makes this boasting so evil? In our society we are impressed with someone who talks about how they are going to find ways to increase the value of their current financial situation. In fact, these are ones who we would recommend for financial seminars, or maybe even make them a church treasurer.

The boasting is evil because it is concerning plans that are made without seeking the Lord's will or direction. The true believer in Jesus Christ seeks the Kingdom of God first in everything. We recognize that we do not own one penny. It all belongs to God and is submitted to his authority for its use. To think otherwise is, as James would say, evil.

Have you submitted your plans to the Lord? Your future? Your material possessions? All of your decisions? He has a plan for your future. It is far better than you can imagine. Submit it to Him.