Why Boast?
WHY BOAST?
Read James 4:13-17.
Dad shook Owen’s shoulder gently. “Time to go,” he whispered. “Fishing is best early in the morning, you know.”
Owen rolled out of bed. Soon he and Dad pushed offshore in a rowboat. Owen yawned as he pulled at the oars. “Better wake up,” said Dad. “I heard you tell your friends yesterday you were going to catch the most fish.”
“I will, too,” Owen boasted.
Dad was the first to reel in a big bass, and then he caught several others. Owen snagged a small sunfish, which he threw back into the water. After a few hours Owen was ready to quit.
“I’ve gotta get back for our ball game today,” said Owen. He looked at his father. “Are you coming to the game? I’m gonna knock a ball right out of the ballpark!”
Dad laughed. “I want to be there to see that,” he said. “But you’d better be careful about what you say. Not long ago you were going to catch the most fish. Now you’re going to be the best ballplayer. It’s not good to boast like that and then come up empty handed.”
“That’s for sure,” Owen admitted, glancing at the few small fish he had caught.
“The Bible warns against boasting about plans without thinking about God’s will,” said Dad. “We can’t be sure what will happen today or tomorrow, you know. We need to live each day with a desire to do God’s will instead of bragging about our own plans.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have plans for today, tomorrow, or next week? Do you make plans without thinking about God’s will for you? He is in control of all that happens, and your plans will come to pass only as He allows them to. Make all your plans with that knowledge in mind.
TO MEMORIZE:
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
James 4:14
PLAN—SEEKING GOD’S WILL.
From the book
