Study Bible
James
Chapter 4

Make Plans According to God’s Will

James 4:13-17Two Kinds of Wisdom.Wisdom and the Future.

Section · James 4:13–5:12

Wisdom and the Future.

Closely related to slander against others is the sin of presumption (thinking too highly of oneself). This too is an idol. Wisdom from God is humble, not proud. See "Providence: Who is in Control of the World?" and "Is God sovereign over every second of time?" below. See BC 13. Motyer states:

James turns to a second area of high risk. He has shown us that by a wrong understanding of other people, and of their significance as brothers and neighbours, we can jeopardize our humility before God, which is the key to the whole situation. But there is also the sin of presumptuousness, which comes from a wrong understanding of ourselves in relation to our own lives and ambitions. It is interesting - and typical of James - that this sin too is put before us as a sin of speech. We are not now, however, defaming a brother; we are talking with a like arrogance to ourselves. We assure ourselves that time is on our side and at our disposal (today or tomorrow). We make our plans as if personal ability (and trade) and the profit motive (and get gain) were the only issues to take into account. We overlook frailty (a mist), and ignore the fact that even the small print of life is in the hands of a sovereign God (if the Lord wills). Yet we know better all the time (knows what is right), but self-confidence makes us boast, and all such boasting is evil and a sin against knowledge.

In three different sections, James deals with issues related to how to make wise plans for the future. We do not know what tomorrow holds. Our resources and ability to control outcomes are much more limited than we realize. We cannot assume that any of our plans will turn out the way we want. James does not say, “it is futile to make plans.” Rather, he counsels the Christian community to submit their plans to God (4:13-17), to share their material resources (5:1-6), and to expect challenges that require patient endurance in faith (5:7-12).

Make Plans According to God’s Will

Calvin states, "James roused the stupidity of those who disregarded God's providence, and claimed for themselves a whole year, though they had not a single moment in their own power; the gain which was afar off they promised to themselves, though they had no possession of that which was before their feet." So, James rebuked those who were arrogantly disregarding divine sovereignty by living their lives and making future plans without regard for the providence of God. See "Providence: Who is in Control of the World?" and "Is God sovereign over every second of time?" below.

Grabbing the attention of merchants in the Christian community, James offers an example from business planning that serves as a principle of planning for all Christians. Make plans, but plan with humility in submission to God’s will for we have very limited ability to control outcomes.

James warns the wealthy against presumption

The word "if" refers to future events that are conditional or unknown (cf. Jonah 3:6-9). James identifies the primary consideration in all future planning as acknowledgment that the control of our lives is in the hands of God. This text has led to the customary use of the phrase "God willing" among Christians (Acts 18:21; 1 Cor. 4:19; 16:7; Heb. 6:3). See "Providence: Who is in Control of the World?" and "Is God sovereign over every second of time?" below.

As far as asking for "anything" or "all things" please see the comparison of Moses and David at "Israel's Leader Joshua - Deuteronomy 3:21-29" below.

James reminds the merchants who are planning to travel to another city, set up a business and make a profit, that they do not know what tomorrow will bring. In much the same way that Jesus warned the rich in his parables, James warns the wealthy against presumption. Those who plan from the perspective of heavenly wisdom (see notes on 1:5; 3;15), consider their limitations, that their life is a mist. Accordingly, they submit their plans in humility to God’s wishes. This posture of planning not only acknowledges God’s sovereignty, it recalls the wisdom of God’s law which requires righteousness in our business dealings, and generosity in our use of material goods. If the Lord wills reminds us of our limitations and the provisional nature of our plans. Ultimately, God sets the limits on what our plans achieve (cf. Prov. 16:1, 3; 19:21; 1 Cor 3:5-8). See WCF 3.1-2; WLC 12-14; BC 13.

Boast

Prideful boasting about one's abilities and accomplishments is idolatrous because it demonstrates failure to recognize God's role in our accomplishments.

Nebuchadnezzar, a great Babylonian king, learned a lesson concerning prideful boasting. As the king of Babylon at its height, he walked out one day on his palace roof (Dan. 4:29). He would have beheld some of the beauties of Babylon; it canals, glistening tiled walls, and the famous Hanging Gardens (one of the ancient world's Seven Wonders). He cried out, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" (Dan. 4:30). God's judgment came swiftly and Nebuchadnezzar fell to all fours, thinking himself an ox and began to dine on the grass (Dan. 4:33). Years later he was enabled to come to his senses (Dan. 4:34-35). If God did this with a king, how much more will he not suffer his children to demonstrate such arrogance.

The Christian is to boast only in the Lord (2 Cor. 11:30; 12:5, 9). See "Providence: Who is in Control of the World?" and "Is God sovereign over every second of time?" below.

As he had in 4:6, James warns against boasting and making arrogant plans that disregard the Lord’s will. While the wise person seeks that which is good, the foolish person knows to do good, but does not do it. This clearly echoes 1:22-25 and 2:14-19 (see notes), and situates “doing good” in relation to what merchants will do with their profits to assist their neighbors. Merchants and artisans usually were not landowners, neither were they poor. In the community of faith, however, all are called to share the gifts and goods that they have with those who need life’s necessities, whether spiritual or material.

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