Plan for the Future: A Christian’s Responsibility and How-to
As Christians, should we plan for the future? If God is in control, then should we plan at all?
The Bible talks a lot about the future and whether or not Christians ought to plan for it. The Bible demonstrates that God is not only concerned for our earthly future, but also for our eternal future. So as Christians, we ought to plan for the future.
First, we should make sure we are prepared for our eternal future. This means getting our relationship with God correct and storing up treasures in heaven. Second, we can work to prepare for our earthly future while trusting it in God’s hands.
So, how should we go about preparing for the future? Let’s find out.
What The Bible Says About Planning For The Future
This list of verses are just some of the verses in the Bible that discuss whether or not we are to plan for the future. Take a moment to look over them. If you want to do further study, then read the surrounding verses to create context.
- James 4:13-15:
- 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.”
- Proverbs 6:6-8:
- “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
- Proverbs 27:23-24:
- “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”
- Matthew 6:34:
- “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
- Luke 14:28:
- “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
- Proverbs 16:9:
- “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
- Proverbs 16:1:
- “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.”
- Proverbs 16:3:
- “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
- Proverbs 20:18:
- “Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.”
- Proverbs 20:5
- “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”
- Matthew 6:19-21:
- “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Should Christians Plan For The Future?
As we can see the Bible talks a lot about making a plan for the future. So, yes, Christians should plan for the future. But that’s often easier said than done. We’ll talk about how we can begin to plan for the future in a moment. But I want to take a minute (or less) to talk about God’s plan for our eternal future.
The Bible makes clear that God wishes no one would die and spend eternity separated from Him (2 Peter 3:9). God is so concerned about our eternal future that He initiated a plan. Yes, God has a plan for our future. That plan is that we will have a relationship with Him forever.
But there is a problem. Our sin separates us from God and destroyed our relationship with Him. There is nothing we can do about it. We don’t have the power. But God does. So, He planned to send Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, be resurrected, and give us new life. Jesus took our punishment for our sin, so that we can have a future with God.
So, if you are not yet prepared for your eternal future, then take a moment to prepare. Visit the gospel page to learn more about the gospel.
Now that we’ve prepared for our eternal future, how can we begin to prepare for our earthly future?
How To Prepare For The Future
The verses listed above along with the rest of the Bible can give us some guidelines on how we can begin to prepare for the future. There are five we can begin to prepare for our earthly future.
1. Prepare In Prayer
The Bible shows us that while we can prepare for the future, it is ultimately God who establishes the future. So, it would be wise to prepare for the future in prayer. What greater way is there to prepare for the future than by consulting the One who will bring it into existence.
2. Prepare With Wisdom
Second, we can prepare for the future with wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to act properly with intelligence and knowledge. It is wisdom that enables us to prepare well for the future. Wisdom helps us see trends and distill biblical principles for living a bible-based lifestyle.
3. Prepare With Discernment
Third, we can prepare with discernment. Discernment is the ability to determine the right course of action. So while wisdom helps us create right courses of action, it is discernment that helps us choose which one is best.
4. Prepare In Faith
The fourth guideline we can use when preparing for the future is faith. Remember, while we can prepare for the future, it is God who establishes it. This means the future might not always go as we planned. But our faith in God will allow us to trust that what He has established is better than our own plans. Isaiah says that God’s ways are not our ways.
5. Prepare With Advice From Others
Lastly, we can prepare for the future using advice from others. If we are going to start investing in stocks it would be wise to talk to someone who knows what they are doing. The Bible is clear that those who seek advice from others before taking an action are wise. So, when we prepare for the future, whether it’s financially, legally, etc., we should seek wise biblical counsel.
Summary
The Bible is clear that those who plan for the future are wise. So Christian’s ought to plan for the future. After all, God Himself planned for the future when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.
We should follow his example and plan for our earthly and eternal futures. First, we need to make sure that our relationship with God is the first priority in our life. Our future is safe in God’s hands. Our future is blessed in God’s hands.
As we prepare for our earthly futures with prayer, discernment, and advice from others we should remember that ultimately God’s plan for the future is what will happen. So if our plans need to change, let’s work on changing them towards God’s will. If our plans don’t go our way, let’s trust that God’s plan is better.
What other qualities would you add to the list of guidelines to help others prepare for the future? Let me know in the comments below.
Building a Bible Study Routine Guide
Want to build a Bible study habit? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and we will send you our free Building a Bible Study Routine Guide. You’ll discover your ideal Bible study method and create a customized schedule. Plus, much more.
Here is what you can expect as a Bible Wonderlife subscriber:
-Welcome email with your Free Guide right now!
-Monthly emails with a brief devotional.
-Practical tips and helpful information for growing in your faith.
Building a Bible Study Routine Guide
Want to build a Bible study habit? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and we will send you our free Building a Bible Study Routine Guide. You’ll discover your ideal Bible study method and create a customized schedule. Plus, much more.
Here is what you can expect as a Bible Wonderlife subscriber:
-Welcome email with your Free Guide right now!
-Monthly emails with a brief devotional.
-Practical tips and helpful information for growing in your faith.
