James 4:13

"Are You Listening?"

V. E. Howard, a great gospel preacher, often stopped in the middle of an important point and asked, "Are you listening?" Usually, those who were not, begin doing so at that time. James says "Come now" to get the same effect. They were making great plans for the future without bringing God into their planning. It's as if they thought it was all up to them and they were dependent on no one. Such planning without God is a serious mistake (James 4:13).

In warning against covetousness, Jesus told a parable about a rich man. His ground brought forth a great yield. When contemplating what to do with all the abundance, the rich man failed to consider his fellow man or God's wishes. Instead, he resolved to tear down his barns and build bigger ones so that he might retire. "But God said to him, 'You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-21).