The simple fact that there are so many Proverbs pertaining to future planning ought to be enough of a reason to compel us to start thinking about the future. The book of Proverbs is packed full of teaching about how we are to plan for the future. I would like to unpack for you the basic concept of planning, and then share with you what the Bible says about it.

Planning

Here is the basic idea of planning: planning requires a goal. To have a goal requires the use of our imagination. We must dream about what we would like to see happen in the future. Once the goal is envisioned, then a strategy and a timeline may be devised to reach that goal. Planning does involve the imagination, but it can’t stop with daydreaming. In order to be a successful planner one must understand what it really takes to reach a goal. A good planner must anticipate obstacles on the way and devise alternatives to reach the goal or perhaps even alter the goal along the way. In short, to plan well requires wisdom, a skill of living that knows how to navigate the rapids of life.

What does the Bible Say about it?

A number of Proverbs (1:5; 6:18; 11:14; 12:5, 20; 14:22; 15:22, 26; 16:1, 2, 3, 9, 33; 19:21; 20:18, 24; 21:5; 24:6, 27; 27:1; 29:18; 31:25, 27) make it clear that the sages of old knew the value of planning for the future. Wise planning, according to the inspired Sages, will be successful and will lead to great benefits, but only if one plans wisely and disciplines themselves to follow their plan. As Proverbs 21:5 states, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty,” (Proverbs 21:5a, ESV). This Proverb compares those who plan with those who are impulsive, or ‘hasty’, and the latter end up with loss and poverty. Personal experience proves this truth. We’ve all known people who flit about, moving from one job to the next, hastily quitting in a fit of rage or maybe out of boredom or drudgery, never settling down their roots anywhere. Those people never get anywhere in life. But neither do the disciplined people who never plan. You can be disciplined and focused all day long on the task at hand, but you must have some sort of direction.

Wise planning leads to great confidence in the future such as that displayed by the “noble woman” in Proverbs 31:25, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come,” (Proverbs 31:25, ESV). When a person plans, they are prepared. Prepared people, or preppers, do not fear the future for they are ready for it. In addition to this, the most striking thing we learn from the book of Proverbs is that those who plan wisely for the future cultivate the virtues of “steadfast love” and “faithfulness,” qualities that come only from God. People who prepare for the future are in a much better position to show mercy, kindness and grace to people who did not plan for the future. So, part of our character development into the image of Christ requires us to plan for the future. After all, it was Jesus, himself, who said, “I go to prepare a place for you…” (John 14:2, ESV). Out of grace and mercy, Jesus was a prepper.

What is the difference between wise planning and foolish planning?

What is the difference between wise planning and foolish planning? For one thing, the wise seek advice from other wise people (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 20:18; 24:6).  Foolish people, in their pride, don’t ask for advice. Wise people crave the counsel of other wise people. But it must always be remembered that the counsel of others is only helpful if it is coming from those who are wise. So what characterizes wise planning and wise advice? Wise planning always has a virtuous goal in mind. Wise planners plan in such a way as to bring some positive good or blessing to others. Foolish planners always plan for selfish and self-interested reasons, and never take others into consideration. The Bible promises that the foolish who gather for themselves will leave all that they have gathered behind for others to enjoy. On the contrary, wise planning is never self-consumed. Furthermore, wise planning and wise counsel will only utilize strategies that are fair and honest in the pursuit of that goal (12:5a). In other words, the ends never justify the means. Both means and ends belong to the Lord and should honor Him. The foolish will do whatever it takes to get what they want. Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law,” may even suggest to us that planning, here evoked by the word “vision”, must be done within the bounds or constraints of the law.