Planning is an essential part of life, including our spiritual walk. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of planning, providing wisdom and guidance to those seeking direction. This article delves into the topic of planning as portrayed in the Bible, extracting lessons that can be employed in everyday life.
What Does the Bible Say About Planning?
The Bible regards planning as an important activity. It encourages vigilant preparations and strategic underpinnings while urging believers to align their plans with God’s will. The Bible is awash with examples of characters who implemented effective plans, ultimately resulting in great triumphs. From Noah building the Ark to Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, the Bible teaches that successful planning is central to achieving one’s goals.
Why Does the Bible Encourage Planning?
The Bible encourages planning because it is a practical exercise for success and fulfillment. It suggests that a good plan provides a clear roadmap towards achieving a set goal. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that the Bible discourages mere human-centered planning. Plans should align with God’s will, acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty and guidance. This way, plans cease from being mere human endeavors and become divine missions, showing God’s wisdom.
Who in the Bible Illustrates the Importance of Planning?
Among the notable biblical characters who portray the importance of planning is Noah. When God told Noah about the imminent flood, he didn’t just wait for it to happen. He drew a plan and built an Ark to save his family and the animals. There’s also Nehemiah who, upon hearing about the dilapidated state of Jerusalem’s walls, devised a strategic plan with the king’s permission and resources, eventually managing to restore the city’s defenses. These stories, among others, highlight the significance of planning in achieving desired outcomes.
Where in the Bible Can One Find Guidance on Planning?
The Bible provides guidance on planning in various books and contexts. In the Old Testament, especially the wisdom literature (like Proverbs), there are rich insights on proper decision-making and planning. In the New Testament, Jesus himself provides teachings on the significance of counting the cost before embarking on any project. Thus, the Bible, in its entirety, offers useful teachings on planning, urging believers to remain dedicated and thoughtful in their pursuits while remaining aligned with God’s plan.
When Should One Involve God in Their Plans According to the Bible?
The Bible encourages believers to involve God in their planning at all stages. That is, from the conception of a plan to its fruition, God’s guidance and blessing are crucial. This is not to mean that one should shirk their responsibility and leave everything to God. Instead, it encourages due diligence in planning while allowing God’s guidance to illuminate the path. The Bible teaches that making God the foundation of all plans helps believers avoid unnecessary detours and pitfalls, resulting in success rooted in divine wisdom.
Below is our full list of bible verses on planning (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Planning
Proverbs 21:5
“5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.”
Related Themes: Business Money Finances Setting Goals
Proverbs 16:3
“3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Luke 14:28
“28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Related Themes: Money Finances Frustration
Proverbs 16:9
“9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Money Time Guidance Future
Proverbs 19:21
“21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Life Business Purpose
Jeremiah 29:11
“11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Related Themes: Hope New Beginnings Patience Frustration Life
Proverbs 6:6-8
“6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
James 4:13-15
“13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Frustration Time Tomorrow Future
Proverbs 24:27
“27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.”
Related Themes: Money Preparation Setting Goals Finances
Isaiah 32:8
“8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.”
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Proverbs 24:3-4
“3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Related Themes: Money Wisdom Finances Home Rebuilding
Proverbs 15:22
“22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.”
Related Themes: Dating Frustration Money Business Counseling
Proverbs 11:14
“14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.”
Related Themes: Business Guidance Leadership Teamwork Advice
Proverbs 19:2
“2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.”
Proverbs 21:20
“20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Business Wisdom Stewardship
Psalm 20:4
“4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.”
Related Themes: Birthday Promotion Heart Thankfulness Graduation
Luke 14:28-30
“28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Frustration
1 Corinthians 14:40
“40 Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Related Themes: Organization Technology Orderliness Order Procrastination
Proverbs 16:1
“1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Pride Direction Pride Preparation
Proverbs 3:5-6
“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Related Themes: Frustration Trust Letting Go Faith Life
Proverbs 3:6
“6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Related Themes: Frustration Self Confidence Trust Fortune Problem Solving
Romans 8:28
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Related Themes: Suffering Frustration Sovereignty Complaining Life
Proverbs 23:4
“4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.”
Isaiah 55:9
“9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Psalm 143:8
“8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Amos 3:7
“7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Related Themes: Vision Prophecy Revealing Secrets Communication
Psalm 90:12
“12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Related Themes: Life Time Wisdom Birthday New Beginnings
Psalm 33:11
“11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
Job 42:2
“2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Sovereignty Omnipresence All Things Are Possible Purpose
