Most of us don’t have a plan. No plan for our life, no plan for our finances or health and no plan for our spiritual growth. Proverbs says that we are acting foolishly. Proverbs tells us that we should plan ahead. Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”We should plan because God has a plan. God has a plan for each of our lives (Psalm 139:16), Jesus was part of God’s plan (Acts 4:26-27) and even our salvation is included in God’s master plan (Ephesians 1:11). God is a planner and we strive to be like him.
The first part our plan should be to follow Jesus, as Proverbs tells us “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”. Next, as we plan, we should ask ourselves four questions:
1. What does the Bible say about this?
This is a question or righteousness. To make a plan contrary to biblical principles or in disobedience to what the Bible says, would be sin. What does the Bible say about earning money or who to marry. As you begin your plan, chech out biblical principles.
2. What does wisdom say?
This is not a question of right or wrong, but of wisdom and foolishness. Just because a plan may not be sin, does not mean that its wise. It may not be a sin to plan to accept a particular job offer, but it may not be wise.
3. What do other mature Christians say?
Proverbs 15:22 says “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
4. What do I prefer?
When you’ve answered out all the above questions (and spent time in prayer), the last issue is your preference. If what you are doing is not a sin, if its wise and you have the backing of other Christians, you are free to use the natural preferences and likes God has given you. E.g. you might prefer a Toyota to a Honda after planning that buying a car in this price bracket would be the wisest thing to do to get to work to earn some money to provide for your family.
Do you have a plan? If not: Submit to God, study the bible, speak to others, pray, and use your God-given brain to plan!