James 4:13-16
“Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and make a profit." Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live, and do this or that." But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.”
This letter, likely written by James, Jesus's brother, addresses Jewish believers scattered across the Roman Empire. He's concerned with how their faith impacts daily life, particularly their conduct, speech, and attitudes towards wealth and planning.
What does this passage reveal about the assumed fragility of human plans and the nature of economic activity in that world?