James 4 - Submit Yourself to GodChikamu

Merchants on the move

No one could have missed whom James was referring to when he wrote: “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’.” These are the merchants, and in the first century, these guys were on the move. Merchants had been around for millennia, but with the phenomenal success of the Roman empire, first-century merchants were riding an unprecedented wave of materialism and decadence. These fellows were as desperate for the dollar or denarius as what we observe today.

There is nothing wrong with the entrepreneurial spirit: the famous woman of Proverbs 31 is praised for her business sense (Prov 31:13-24). The problem is that merchants, particularly the successful ones, were prone to arrogance. They were moving up the social scale, waving smugly at those they passed. To all this, James responds in his familiar style: 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 (4:14).

James is right. The precious stock could be shipwrecked on the way from Egypt, the merchandise could be raided on the way to Ephesus, and the households of Rome could find a cheaper price from another merchant. Our lives—even the successful ones—are simply ‘mist’ appearing and disappearing without a trace. 

Because of all this, believers should think and act as those who live under the rule of God, not the reign of money. We should say “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (v.15). This is not a legalistic requirement or superstitious habit, but a healthy safeguard against the boasting often associated with the upwardly mobile. 

Keeping aspirations in check

Merchants were the ‘aspirational’ class of ancient times, those who longed for more wealth and made plans to achieve it. Nowadays, aspiration for wealth appears to be the default outlook. Our hearts cry out for just a little more status, just a little more travel, and just a little more money. 

Aspirations like these are not inherently wrong, but they are very frequently accompanied by arrogance. James urges us to live under the banner: “if it is the Lord’s will.” All of my sleeping, waking, earning and breathing comes from God’s hand. James’ point is that we should think, act, and talk like we know that. To this end, may we recommend that all of us think about reinstating the habit urged in James 4:15. When talking about our holidays, business transactions, employment opportunities, or any other hoped-for achievement, why not add the caveat, “God willing”! It is only a small thing, and of course, it has to reflect an underlying attitude, but even this small token provides a reminder to you and those around you that everything is in God’s hands, and that you live under his rule not the rule of the dollar.