The people to whom James wrote the letter knew about wheeling and dealing, as the saying goes. The merchants bought stock in one place and then moved to the next place to sell the stock there.

It could easily take a year to get rid of all their stock.

While the merchants were in town, they kept their eyes open for other products they could purchase and trade at another location. When the stock they brought with them was sold out, they would move on to the next town to sell the newly purchased stock there.

The process was repeated until they had made enough money to return to their own village.

James is talking to these traders: ¹³ And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.”

I can somehow see the question mark in the merchants’ eyes. “What do you mean? We’ve been dealing this way for years. Our parents and grandparent did it this way. This is our thing – we’ve been trading forever!”

They’ve actually been mistaken. They assume that things will still look the same tomorrow and after that. But the past does not determine the future. Tomorrow will not necessarily be done the same way as yesterday and the day before.

Anything can happen. The market may fall. People may get interested in a new or better product and walk past yours with their noses in the air. Maybe your cart’s wheel breaks and all your produce washes down the river.

I drove with my friend through his naartjie orchards. The trees are laden with fruit. It’s a sea of orange. The previous year, the farmers made pockets full of money with citrus. Probably something to do with vitamin C and the Covid virus.

This year, the fuss over Covid is over, and there is no longer such a need for vitamin C. Over and above their big market, Russia went to war, and no ships can offload any oranges or naartjies.

The price fell by over 30%, and no farmer can handle such a loss. It’s almost better just to leave the naartjies there. Tomorrow is not determined by yesterday.

Our life is not in yesterday’s or today’s hands. We shouldn’t be confident and think we know what will happen. No, there is only One who knows, and that is God. We must realize our shortcomings and know we have no control over tomorrow.

Instead, depend on God. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him to guide you today, here and now, so you can make the right choices to arrive at the right place tomorrow.

Scripture
James 4:13

Reflection
What does your plan look like?
How much control do you have over what will happen?
Do you make God a part of your tomorrow?

Prayer
Father, I realize that I want to be in control too much. I realize that yesterday or even today does not necessarily determine tomorrow. I now put everything in Your hands and trust You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.