THURSDAY January 23, 2020

The Sin of Self-Sufficiency

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
James 4:13-16

Another good point James made to Christians was not to take our days for granted. We are so busy making plans, buying a house, investing in the stock market, and taking vacations to Hawaii, but do we know if we have another day? God may require our lives tomorrow!

When it comes to planning for the future, we need to plan according to the will of God and not according to our flesh. The next time you begin planning for the future, remember to include James 4:15! Remember, if it is God’s will, then He will allow those things to happen. If the Lord wills, we shall go to Washington; if the Lord wills, we shall purchase our home. If the Lord wills, then I will have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Many people think they are self-sufficient. They say, “I am in control, of my life.” They trust and depend on themselves. Often gifted people boast and brag because maybe they feel financially secure. They do not need God. Understand, this is a terrible sin in the eyes of God. Man is ever so frail. He is corruptible subject to: disease accidents, heart attack and sudden death––it can happen at a snap of the finger.

Despite the frailty and uncertainty of life, man still walks upon the earth as if his life is in his own hands. Nobody thinks about the fact they could die today. When making plans for each day, do you seek the Lord’s will? You need to seek to be close to the heart of God each day.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
~Matthew 6:33~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!