Future Planning

How is your future planning? Are you ready for what lies ahead? In James 4:13 some made big plans for what they would do: Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: James rebukes those who would try and live their lives, and make their grand plans for the future, without scarcely a thought for God.

Are we aware of the hand of God upon our lives? Of our own limitations? We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, let alone in a year from now.

These traders travelled from city to city, across wide areas. They said, We will go… They were presuming some things about their future. They took for granted things which were not in their own power. They were focused on worldly aims. They gave no thought, it seems, for God, and eternal things. In all their planning, they gave no thought about the glory of God, or his kingdom.

Notice what mistakes these business people made. They made mistakes about TIME.

They took for granted the time that God would give them and just aimed to use it up for their own selfish ends. How much better it would be, to say: How can I use my time to honour God? When I makes plans, do I set a commitment at a time that conflicts with fellowship or worship? Will I prioritise some social event or sport above attending worship? Will I opt out of fellowship because of some trivial pursuit?

Do I, rather, fit my other commitments around times of fellowship? Do I prioritise opportunities for fellowship, and worship, and service? Or do I just settle for a minimal commitment? How serious am I with the stewardship of my time?

The people James addressed also made mistakes about LOCATION.

These traders just decided to go here or there, just wherever they could make money. That was their motivation. It looked like they didn’t give a thought about what God wanted for them. There’s no mention of praying, of seeking God’s will.

James rebuked these people for living lives without God, and planning their future, without God.
Their thinking was all about their business enterprise. As to location… Can I consider, Where does God want me to be? To live? How much better it would be if we were to make all kinds of decisions of our lives with an eye to what will better our soul, and help our family spiritually? What will grow our faith? What’s the best decision for me to make, based on spiritual reasons?

These folk who James rebukes also made mistakes about MAKING PLANS.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with making plans for your future. BUT - when these traders were making their plans they did so presumptuously. God was missing from their plans. They didn’t seem to care about seeking God’s will, or about trusting in Him. There was no prayer, no seeking to know God’s mind about the matter. They seemed all caught up in making money, but losing out spiritually. Do we care for our spiritual life and growth? What IS it, that we LIVE for? Do we factor spiritual considerations when we make decisions? Do we have an eternal perspective?

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Some think that they have all the time in the world. They presume to make their grand plans, without looking to the will of God, and the providence of God. Our life is like a passing vapour. We have only this finite time on this earth. Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Why do we so easily waste the precious time that we have? Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It’s been wisely said that the true purpose of our lives is that we glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.
Let us commit our future into His hands. Let us keep that humility that entrusts our lives to God’s care.

Let us live in readiness of our Lord’s coming. May our lives be a testimony to the transforming power of Christ and a witness to our world.

Let us aim to strengthen our families. Make fellowship a habit, a discipline. That you model it to your children. By making it a personal priority.

Let us hold fast to the unchanging truth of Scripture. It is our spiritual armour in the face of deception.

We can expect trials. Let’s learn to endure. We have to develop our spiritual muscles for what lies ahead.

Be a faithful steward. While we await Christ's return, we are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Fulfil God’s purpose for your life.

Be a worshipper. Psalms 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Be an ambassador. We are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. Be a witness for Christ.

Above all things, may we have this motto: 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.