Never boast about tomorrow. You don’t know what will happen between now and then.
Proverbs 27:1 GNT
The wisdom of Proverbs 27:1 warns us not to boast about tomorrow, as life’s uncertainties are beyond our control. Procrastination, a timeless vice, often leads to ruin in various aspects of life. Presuming arrogantly on the future is dangerous; action should not be postponed.
The Bible’s message cautions against this arrogance, reminding us that we aren’t the masters of our own destiny. We lack the power to foresee life’s twists and turns, making humility and careful planning essential. Similarly, James 4:13-17 reminds us that prideful boasting is unwise, emphasizing that even delaying what’s right is considered sinful.
Some of you say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money.” Listen, think about this: You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Your life is like a fog. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. So, you should say, “If the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that.” But now you are proud and boast about yourself. All such boasting is wrong. If you fail to do what you know is right, you are sinning.
James 4:13-17 ERV
As we navigate life, this serves as a reminder to be “very careful of how we live“. Likewise, we should prepare today for whatever tomorrow may bring. Facing uncertainties requires a well-ordered mind, a clear conscience, and submission to divine will. In Luke 12:16-20, Jesus shares a parable about a man who placed his security in material abundance. This folly echoes in our lives when we prioritize worldly assurances. It was boast on the future because of the abundance of his harvest.
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
Luke 12:19-20 NIV
In conclusion, the story serves as a warning, highlighting the impermanence of earthly guarantees. Building lasting happiness requires a foundation beyond the temporal. Relying solely on the present or future’s promises is akin to constructing on shifting sands. True security and fulfilment lie in something more substantial, eternal, and unchanging.
