making plans
What does the Bible say about making plans? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
15 passages · most helpful first
9The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
3Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
21There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
11For I know the thoughts that I think over you, says the Lord: thoughts of peace and not of affliction, so that I may give you patience and an end.
22Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.
13But who are you to judge your neighbor? Consider this, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into that city, and certainly we will spend a year there, and we will do business, and we will make our profit,” 14consider that you do not know what will be tomorrow. 15For what is your life? It is a mist that appears for a brief time, and afterwards will vanish away. So what you ought to say is: “If the Lord wills,” or, “If we live,” we will do this or that.
5The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.
13But who are you to judge your neighbor? Consider this, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into that city, and certainly we will spend a year there, and we will do business, and we will make our profit,” 14consider that you do not know what will be tomorrow. 15For what is your life? It is a mist that appears for a brief time, and afterwards will vanish away. So what you ought to say is: “If the Lord wills,” or, “If we live,” we will do this or that. 16But now you exult in your arrogance. All such exultation is wicked. 17Therefore, he who knows that he ought to do a good thing, and does not do it, for him it is a sin.
28For who among you, wanting to build a tower, would not first sit down and determine the costs that are required, to see if he has the means to complete it? 29Otherwise, after he will have laid the foundation and not been able to finish it, everyone who sees it may begin to mock him, 30saying: ‘This man began to build what he was not able to finish.’
5Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudence. 6In all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your steps.
1It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
6Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
5May he grant to you according to your heart, and confirm all your counsels.
15And so, brothers, see to it that you walk cautiously, not like the foolish, 16but like the wise: atoning for this age, because this is an evil time. 17For this reason, do not choose to be imprudent. Instead, understand what is the will of God.
18Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.