The Biblical Basis for Planning

This article looks at the biblical basis for planning and points out the contribution of research to the planning process. A general overview of planning is presented, drawing from both the Old and New Testament, concluding with a case study from Number 13.

The scriptures point to the wisdom of planning. For example:

Isaiah 32:7,8 As for a rogue, his weapons are evil; He devises wicked schemes To destroy {the} afflicted with slander, Even though {the} needy one speaks what is right. But the noble man devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands.

Luke 14:28-30 "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

Throughout the book of Proverbs the need to plan is seen.

Prov 11:14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory

Prov 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

Prov 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

Prov 19:21 Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand

Prov 21:5 The plans of the diligent {lead} surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty {comes} surely to poverty.

Prov 20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

Prov 20:5 A plan in the heart of a man is {like} deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

Research, then, can provides decision makers with the information they need to make noble plans.

Likewise a number of Proverbs highlight the importance of knowing the facts before making a decision. The Living Bible Translation highlights this point..

The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts (Prov. 14:8 TLB)

What a shame - yes, how stupid! - to decide before knowing the facts! (Prov. 18:13 TLB)

Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully be keeping abreast of the facts. (Prov. 24:3-4 TLB)

A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and cuffers the consequences. (27:12, TLB)

Biblical planning should be done in a prayerful spirit, depending on God. It is not an activity that is done independently from God.

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.

Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Prov 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

With this background, here are some planning guidelines taken from Numbers 13 (Moses and the Promised Land)

1. Planning must reflect previously established goals.
Numbers 13:2 clearly states that entering the Promised Land was God's direction, not Moses'. "Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan,which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers' tribes, every one a leader among them." This goal of inhabiting the Promised land goes back to the time of Abraham in Genesis 12:8 and 15:7,8. So this effort to possess the land was based upon previously established goals, goals established by God.

2. Priorities must be developed among given goals.

3. Planning requires Knowledge for the facts as they exist and not as we wish them. Notice Moses' instruction to the 12 spies:

When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, "Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country. "See what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong {or} weak, whether they are few or many. "How is the land in which they live, is it good or bad? And how are the cities in which they live, are {they} like {open} camps or with fortifications? "How is the land, is it fat or lean? Are there trees in it or not? Make an effort then to get some of the fruit of the land."

When we engage in strategic planning, first we must know the facts and realities that we are up against. Moses wanted to know about the land, obstacles, the people, etc. Too often leaders attempt to plan when they don't know the facts, or if they know them, refuse to accept their reality.

4. Planning does not discount the past, but is definitely future-oriented. Moses knew how God had worked in the past, delivering His people from Egypt. This experience gave Moses confidence that God could handle the challenges His people would face in the future. Good planning builds upon God's past track record.

(These four observations are adapted from Rediscovering the Soul of Leadership by Eugene B. Habecker, pages 150-152)