“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1)
What is Planning?
Christians often wonder should they do any planning. They often ask the question, “shouldn’t I depend totally on God?” Yes. So does this mean that we are to sit at home and wait for God to deliver manna again? Although some people think this is the case it is in fact not God’s attitude towards what we should be doing.
Planning is an essential part of any financial program. But it is most important for Christians. God is an orderly provider and expects us to have the same attitude.
Proverbs 24:3-4 - Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
What we can gather from the above is that planning is an essential part of the process of building a house. What else can we see in these verses?
The first step is planning to develop a changed attitude. That requires more than just an initial try at creating plans. You must see them in everyday decisions.
Don’t try to develop your plans with no flexibility. Remember that God’s wisdom may be exercised by redirecting our paths.
James 1:2-3 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Practice patience and caution in every financial area. Your attitude may determine the difference between any profit and loss. Avoid those get rich quick schemes no matter how tempting they may be. Stick to your plans making no provision for hasty speculation.
Proverbs 21:29 - A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Many important attitudes are necessary to develop a sound financial plan.
What are short-range plans?
Short-range plans are those that occur daily. Those that include paying bills, buying groceries, saving for vacation, saving for emergencies, or even paying taxes.
Everyone need to develop short range plans, failure to do so will not remove their importance, it will only result in greater expense anxiety.
Where do I start? The home is the first area to generate plans.
Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
According to Proverbs 20:5 what one element is necessary?
The Christian home should be characterized by orderliness and excellence. Neither is possible without good planning. The following principles will help you to establish useful and biblical plans. Think of how you can apply the principles to your home. In many cases the discussion questions will not have one “correct” answer but are designed to bring out individual insights for the group. That is the reason we call this an interactive bible study. And encourage those reading this on the web site to join the lessons on-line.
A written goal gives you a visible objective toward which to work. In our home setting this is called a budget.
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Proverbs 16:3 defines how to make our plans compatible with God’s will.
What is the first step?
Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 describes how that is to be accomplished.
What is our role?
What is God’s input?
This is an essential element in any financial plan.
Why is this true?
Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
2 Corinthians 9:11 - Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Although most Christians that tithe give 10% of their income to the body, most do so after they have paid the bills. If they are going to skip paying anything it will be the tithes.
Can you tell me why this is not biblical?
This may not be possible in all families. But every family can reduce its use. As discussed in an earlier lesson, families in bondage must stop the use of credit to ever escape.
Proverbs 27:12 - A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 27:12 describes one who proceeds in the face of future trouble as?
Many families in financial trouble think that generating more cash, such as the wife going to work will help. That is usually not the case. Generally the problems are caused by overspending, not insufficient income. More income will sometimes make the situation worse. If the total level of spending increases, credit will too. Families should put God’s plan into action first.
2 Chronicles 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Who is God searching for?
Why?
Psalms 37:7 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
What practice does this verse teach?
- No purchase is too small to pray about.
- Pray together as a family so that other members can share in the blessing.
- Learn to discern Gods will in the area of new purchases. God may not grant you every wish, because we often ask for things that will ultimately hurt us.
Don’t go to someone else and have them set your plans or goals, if you do you are going to be unhappy. Unfortunately, this is often the case. Someone is made to feel guilty because of his less worldly or aesthetic goals and allows others to change his course.
Quite often Christians will get involved in get rich quick schemes because others around them seem more successful. I have seen this happen in several different churches and denominations.
Remember God has the plan for your life no one else.
Psalms 17:15 - As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
What does this verse say, what doesn’t is say?
Proverbs 3:13-14 - Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold
What is success according to this verse?
Proverbs 3:19 - The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
What is its source?
You need to ask for help if you need it. Many Christians are willing to help others, but when it comes to asking for help for themselves they don’t. This is called ego. No one is without problems, and therefore each of us needs some counsel and advice.
Many Christians are afraid to seek good council because they are afraid it will somehow reflect on their commitment. That is nonsense.
Proverbs 19:20 - Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
What are we advised to do?
Whose counsel should we seek?
Proverbs 23:22 - Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Ephesians 5:23 - For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Ephesians 5:31 - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Qualities of a good counselor:
Titus 1:6-9 - If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
The role of a Counselor
1 Peter 5:2-3 - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
The result of a good Counselor
2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.