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What Does the Bible Say About Planning Ahead?

Have you ever wondered whether making plans for the future means you’re trusting in yourself more than in God? Or perhaps you’ve struggled with the tension between taking action today and trusting that God holds tomorrow.

The Bible addresses this very issue, offering clear and timeless wisdom on how we should approach planning ahead.

In today’s world, filled with uncertainties, responsibilities, and expectations, it can be challenging to determine whether planning for your career, finances, or family life is a sign of faith or a lack thereof. However, Scripture reveals a balanced, God-honouring approach to planning that doesn’t just involve faith, but requires it.

In this article, you’ll discover:

So if you’re navigating life’s big questions—whether about your career, your family, or your future—it’s the perfect time to discover how the Bible can guide your planning with purpose and peace.

What the Bible teaches about foresight, preparation, and diligence

The Bible certainly doesn’t discourage planning. In fact, it honours wise planning.

The book of Proverbs says:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5, NKJV).

This verse not only encourages diligence but also emphasises the importance of careful and strategic planning for long-term benefits.

The concept of a wise worker is repeated throughout Proverbs. For example, “The wise worker guards against trouble” by preparing in advance (Proverbs 6:6-8), much like the ant stores food in the summer for the winter ahead. These passages of Scripture indicate that being a good steward of your time, resources, and opportunities means making future plans with insight and care.

Furthermore, planning isn’t just about career success or how to make money—it’s about preparing for the next generation.

Borrowing from the timeless wisdom in the book of Proverbs once again:

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22, NKJV).

Your thoughtful planning today could be the blessing your family needs for generations to come.

But here’s the thing—we’re not meant to plan independently of God. The Bible warns against the dangers of presumption.

The difference between Godly planning and self-reliant control

There’s a thin line between setting goals with wisdom and assuming control of the future as if we hold it in our hands.

The Bible addresses this mindset directly:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit, ‘ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15, NKJV).

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make future plans, but rather that our hearts must stay humble, always including God in every decision.

The difference between faithful planning and presumptive planning lies in our posture: Are we open to God’s plans, or are we relying on our own wisdom, wants, or fixations?

The Psalmist reassures us on the safety of planning with God:

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11, NKJV).

That’s the kind of trustworthy planning we want to align with: plans grounded in divine wisdom, not just personal ambition.

If you’re wondering what this looks like in real life, let’s look at a few biblical examples of people who planned ahead, with God at the centre.

Biblical examples of individuals who planned ahead

Throughout the Bible, we encounter wise and diligent individuals who made long-term plans guided by God, and whose lives exemplify the value of planning.

Take Joseph, for example. Through divine insight, he advised Pharaoh to store grain during years of plenty to prepare for future famine (Genesis 41). This was not just about survival; it was about good stewardship, saving not only Egypt but also the surrounding nations.

Another example is Nehemiah, who meticulously planned the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. Before lifting a single stone, he sought counsel, prayed, surveyed the situation, and gathered resources (Nehemiah 2). His preparation was prayerful and thorough—an excellent model for those of us with big visions and tight schedules.

Even Christ spoke of planning in the Gospel:

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish?’” (Luke 14:28-30, NKJV).

Here, Jesus affirms that wise planning is part of wise living.

So, how do we bring this biblical wisdom into our everyday decision-making, especially in a world of distractions, deadlines, and uncertainties?

Practical ways to make plans while staying aligned with God’s will

Planning with God means starting from a place of dependence rather than self-reliance. It involves being diligent, but not anxious. Focused, but not rigid.

Here are a few practical steps to align your goal setting with Scripture:

  1. Pray before you plan – Always begin with prayer. Invite God into your decisions, whether you’re planning your career, finances, parenting goals, home projects, etc.
  2. Seek wise counsel – Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (NKJV). Surround yourself with mentors or a faith-based community that can offer spiritually grounded advice and support.
  3. Use the Bible as your planning compass – Let bible verses shape your values and priorities. Before setting goals, ask yourself: Does this align with biblical principles? Is this plan good in God’s eyes?
  4. Write it down and revisit it – Habakkuk 2:2 says, “…Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (NKJV). A written plan clarifies your direction and allows you to course-correct when needed.
  5. Trust God with the outcome – Remember, planning is wise, but results belong to God. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (NKJV). This perspective keeps us humble and dependent on His leading.

Ultimately, planning isn’t about controlling your future; it’s about preparing for it. It’s about trusting the One who holds it. Let’s wrap up by reviewing what we’ve learned.

Plan with purpose, trust with confidence

The Bible doesn’t discourage planning. Instead, it encourages it. But not just any kind of planning. It urges us to be wise workers, to set goals with humility, and to include God in every detail.

Whether you’re charting future goals for your career, your children, or your finances, God calls you to be both diligent and dependent.

You don’t have to choose between being faithful and being forward-thinking. The Bible offers a way to do both: with wisdom, prayer, and trust in God’s plans for future generations.

Want to go deeper?

Explore more Bible-based insights in our Future Section—designed to help you plan ahead with clarity, confidence, and Christ-centred wisdom.

Start with these helpful articles:

Each resource is practical, Bible-based, and written to help you become a good steward of your time, energy, and future goals.

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