Why should we not boast about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1)?

The wisdom of Solomon warns us not to make arrogant presumptions about the future: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1). The New Testament writer James echoes this theme and develops it further: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:13–16).

The Bible instructs believers not to boast about tomorrow because the future is uncertain and beyond human control. The word translated as “boast” in Proverbs 27:1 means “to show off verbally; to offer self-praise.” Boasting about our future reveals a lack of humility. It is an arrogant reliance on self and fails to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over our lives. We put ourselves in God’s place when we confidently declare what will happen in the coming days. In truth, we cannot know what will happen tomorrow. Our lives are fleeting; they could end at any moment. James says they are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16–21) underscores the fleeting nature of human life. The rich man in the story kept accumulating wealth, so much so that he decided to build bigger barns to store his great fortune. He proudly said that soon he would amass such riches that he could sit back, take it easy, “eat, drink, and be merry!” (verse 19). But just then, God said to him, “You fool! This very night, your life will be demanded from you” (verse 20). The rich man boasted about tomorrow, but God knew his tomorrow would never come.

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps,” declared Solomon (Proverbs 16:9; see also Proverbs 16:1). We can boast about tomorrow and “make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21, NLT). True wisdom recognizes our dependence on God—that He alone is sovereign and in control of our future. We are not promised tomorrow; therefore, we must not boast about it. Instead, we embrace God’s plans, purposes, and will, whatever they may be. We acknowledge that He is the only all-seeing, all-knowing One (Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 33:13–15).

We should not boast about tomorrow because God is the Lord of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. The comforting flip side to this wisdom is that we don’t have to worry about tomorrow, either. Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34, NLT). We can approach the future by trusting in the Lord with all our heart, not depending on our own understanding, but seeking His will in all we do, confidently knowing that He will show us which path to take (Proverbs 3:5–6).

Proverbs 27:1 urges us to recognize our limited control over the future and humbly focus on the present. Godly wisdom teaches us to trust the Lord for what lies ahead and not depend on ourselves. Wisdom always promotes humility, and “true humility and fear of the Lord leads to riches, honor, and long life” (Proverbs 22:4, NLT).

We should not boast about tomorrow because doing so shows a lack of godly character. In fact, self-praise is one of the worst, most dangerous forms of pride (see Proverbs 16:18–19). The arrogant trust in themselves and brag about their plans for a successful future. But those who have acquired wisdom have a realistic view of their own gifts and of their future. They humble themselves before the sovereignty of God, for only He knows the future.