DEVOTION – DAY 191

James 4:13-16 “Arrogance Leads To Downfall”

James 4:13-16 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

There are people who make plans as if they are in full control over everything. The apostle James wrote in these verses that people are arrogant when they think like that. In fact, James reminded that no one is in control of their lives. Every one’s life is like a mist that appears for a short while and may vanish. Instead, it is God who is in control, not us.

Today, many people continue to think they are in control. People like to make plans for their future. People borrow loans thinking they will be able to repay the loans over a period of time from their earnings. They assume they will always have good paying jobs and that no tragedies may befall them to upset their plans. Does that describe you?

Let us look at the case of Xu Jia Yin. Up till August 2021, he was the chairman of Evergrande, one of China’s largest property groups. Not only does Evergrande have vast property projects all over China, the company was involved in electric vehicles, health and beauty care, technology and Artificial Intelligence and professional soccer businesses. Xu Jia Yin came from humble beginnings and started Evergrande in 1997. In order to grow his business quickly, he relied heavily on bank borrowings. His business assumed that property prices would continue to rise and if he could build properties quickly and cheaply, he would be able to sell properties at a good profit which would enable him to repay his debts. To support the growth of his business, by 2020, Evergrande owed debts of close to US$300 Billion. The company had more assets but these were mainly in the form of half completed construction projects that require buyers to pay their instalments and suppliers to continue to give him credit so that the projects can be finished. It became clear that Evergrande was facing financial difficulties and was unable to repay bank loan interest payments. When rumors spread about their troubles, the company’s share prices fell sharply. Xu Jia Yin had to resign from his position as Chairman of the group as the company faced restructuring of its debt burden. Xu Jia Yin allowed his arrogance and thinking he was in control of everything to cause his downfall. Only God is in control of everything and it is foolish of anyone to think he is in control of the future.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you are Sovereign and Almighty. Please help us to guard against arrogance and pride. Please help us to guard against greed and to always know our place before you. We pray in the holy name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Questions

What are some instances where we make plans and assumptions about our future only to find out later that we are not in full control? Discuss.
Why do people take risks and how has recent events caused people to realize that they are not in control of their lives? Discuss.
What should be our attitude according to this passage in James 4:13-16?
What changes will you make in the way you do planning the future that is pleasing to God? Discuss.