C. Caution Against Ignoring God (4:13-17)

Accumulating goods may not always engender strife, but it may precipitate another sinful attitude that is counter to the spirit of Jesus, hyper-self-confidence with a total disregard of God. Phillips translates 4:16: “You take a certain pride in planning with such confidence.”

James paints a picture of businessmen who are programming their business activities for the next year. When they say, “We will go to this or that city,” they use the indicative mood of the verb. The nuance is that of an undaunted determination that will not possibly be thwarted. They are in full control of the future as they plot their destination and profits. Their fault, however, is that they are forgetful of the frailty of life. The opening word of the Greek text of v.14 (“Why”), which is generally not expressed by translators, suggests that James is insinuating, “Who do you think you are?” He likens their life to visible smoke or water vapor, which can disappear suddenly by a change in wind or temperature. These traders not only disregard God, they also flaunt his will. This kind of arrogance is not only disgusting; it is sinful, too.