Scripture: James 4:13–5:6

Faith surrenders our plans

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make profit’– yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.” (James 4:13-17)

“the land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops” (Luke 12:16-17)

“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.  (Luke 12:24)

Faith surrenders our possessions

“Your riches have rotten and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.” (James 5:1-3)

“And he said, I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.” (Luke 12:18)

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass . . . how much more will he clothe you.” (Luke 12:27-28)

Faith surrenders our pleasures

“You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” (James 5:5)

“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you . . .” (Luke 12:19-20)

“do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” (Luke 12:29-30)