Do Not Boast about Tomorrow (James 4:13-17)
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.”
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.” Ever have to deal with someone who’s so stuck on themselves that they’re already bragging about their future accomplishments? People like that are legends in their own minds, so impressed with themselves that they are certain of conquering all obstacles. HAH!
There is a Yiddish proverb that says “ “Der Mensch Tracht, Un Gott Lacht,” means “man plans and God laughs.” Nobody knows what tomorrow may bring. On December 6, 1941, sailors on ships in Honolulu Harbor were sleeping or carrying out their normal duties. But Japanese bombers attacked on December 7, 1941, and nothing was ever the same again.
There’s something badly wrong if you have to serve as your own publicist. If you are really doing well, others will notice. And if you are not, it’s better to keep quiet than to call attention to your deficiencies.
“A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.” The Book of Proverbs has lots of things to say about foolish people, none of them good. One of the most frustrating things about someone with no common sense is that they cling to their opinions, despite all evidence to the contrary. If you are unfortunate enough to have to struggle with a foolish worker, it can be far more aggravating than sand in your shoes because at least you can empty out the sand, but you have no control over someone else’s foolishness.
“Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?” It’s no fun working with someone who is easily offended; at any moment you might find yourself the target of their anger. But jealousy can be far worse. Why? Because jealous people frequently hide their feelings. While you can generally spot angry people, sometimes a jealous person will pretend to be your best friend in an effort to get close to you so they can undermine you and seize the object of their jealousy.
“Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” True friends will tell you what you need to hear, even if it is not what you WANT to hear. True friends want your best interests and are willing to risk friendship by giving you feedback. On the other hand, people who fawn on you frequently are simply attempting to manipulate. I always become concerned when someone begins to refer to me as “Sister Young;” such people are generally trying to get something. Several years ago, a pastor turned up in our little town. This guy was big on “Sister….” and “Brother….” Later some of our church members traveled with this man to Kumasi and Accra and he stole all their goods and disappeared. Who knows how many other poor pastors from other villages he had deceived?
“The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.” If you are satiated with praise or food or any other good thing, your hunger has been assuaged. But if you are really hungry, you will accept anything, even food that would otherwise seem unpalatable.
“Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.” Recently, people have had to move across country to find work, leaving their home towns. While travel can be exhilarating, we all still need a place where we belong, a place where they will accept us. Recently, one of our long-time friends in Illinois died. This lady and her business partner had run a restaurant in a small town for thirty years, caring for stray people and the elderly. For many, that restaurant represented a spiritual home, and they loved to return there. Now our friend is with Jesus and we’ll never eat her Swedish pancakes again. Robert Frost described home well when he said, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” (Robert Frost The Death of the Hired Man)
“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.” Few things are more precious than a close loving friendship. One of the greatest tributes given at my late brother Rus’s funeral was that he was a true friend who loved and counseled without judging.
“Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” It is said that we are born into families but we select our friends. Many times, our friends or our parents’ or grandparents’ friends will do more for us than will our siblings. I still run into people who knew my dad when he was on the State Farm Bureau board and who remember him fondly; those people are willing to help just because of that friendship.
“Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.” Why would anybody taunt someone else? There are always small people who are more than willing to make fun of anyone whose children are misbehaving. Wise children bring honor to their parents.
“The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” You might think this is such an obvious statement that it doesn’t require discussion; however, common sense is not really common. One of the most dangerous phrases anyone can utter is, “Hey, y’all! Watch this!” There is even a satellite TV show entitled “The Science of Stupid” that show videos of people doing dumb things and then analyzing the physics/chemistry/biology behind the mistakes.
“Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.” People have been borrowing and lending since the beginning of the human race, and people have been ducking out from under loans for just as long. The point here is simple: If you don’t know the person for whom you are standing surety, DON’T DO IT! That’s why the Bible is advising lenders to collect a guarantor’s cloak or something else for surety. The chances of strangers and foreigners disappearing over the horizon are excellent.
APPLICATION: If you want one word to sum up today’s teachings, it would probably be “Prudence.” Prudence in relationships, prudence in business, prudence in conduct, and prudence in public-all are important for success in society. God wants us to live good lives that will glorify Him and help all those around us.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to ask for Your help and guidance so that we may live prudently and successfully and that our lives may bless others. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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