Do you have a plan for this year? A plan is a roadmap of action/activity written in black and white, that is, put down on a piece of paper. Please do not underestimate the importance of a written plan. Once we write down something it clears up a lot of hazy areas and opens aspects that we probably overlooked.
Define the term “plan” in your own words.
As Christians, sometimes it’s “our faith that makes us poor, Why? We have no plans about what we intend to achieve by faith. What does scripture say about planning? Many Christians think that planning is the same as goals. The planning is the pillar of goals.
After you have had your goals and objectives, the next thing is to see how to achieve your goals and objectives. What you map out and draw is called planning. Goals and objectives cannot be achieved without thorough planning.
A good plan helps a goal and objective achievable. For a better understanding of planning, let us ruminate on the following salient points.
Importance of Planning
- Planning helps us to have a better idea about the course of action that we propose to take. Luke 14:25-33
- Planning gives a rough estimate of the time required for a project Luke14:25-33
- Planning gives us a fairly good idea about the expenses involved in the project. Luke 14:25-33
- Planning helps us to get prepared for the project Luke 14:25-33
- Planning brings order and a sense of direction
- Planning helps for assessment-Gen1:31
- Planning helps in productive praying-Proverbs 163
- Planning helps you to avoid embarrassment and prevent emergencies-Pro.6.6-8,1Tim.58
- Planning brings about achievement-Pro. 215
- A well-thought-out plan gives us an idea about what is to be done every day, every week, and every month.Pro31:15,21
- Planning helps avoid duplication of labour.
- Planning helps to delegate, assign responsibilities, and give everyone an idea about his or her role 2Tim.47-13
Types of Planning
Planning is the process of organizing your goals and procedures to achieve these goals. It should be specific, measurable, attainable, and trackable. There are several terms used to describe types of planning.
- Long range-5 years and above addition to short-range planning, Christians need to develop long-range plans and visualize their long-range financial objectives.
- Not every Christian will be wealthy, nor should everyone be wealthy, but everyone has a responsibility to plan well, to have good sound objectives, and to operate according to God’s principles. To develop long-range plans, four long-range goals should be considered:
- set a maximum goal;
- have a surplus plan;
- obey God’s principles; and
- develop a family plan.
Set a maximum goal
Families should have a goal of the maximum amount that they want to accumulate. Once that is established there will be less pressure. It will always remind you.
Have a surplus plan
There should be some specific goals developed for the use of surplus funds that God provides. How much should be returned to the work of the Lord? How much should be invested? How much should be set aside for children’s wants? Establish a surplus plan now, while the opportunity and the capability are very available to do so.
Obey God’s principles
In formulating long-range plans, pay specific attention to obeying God’s principles. Be honest. Never allow the family to be trapped in anything unethical, immoral, or dishonest, no matter how inviting it seems. These can kill goals and vision.
Develop a family plan
Christians must establish long-range family plans that include financial priorities, long-range giving goals, education goals for children, estate, and family provision goals in case of death, and retirement goals.
In addition, there should be a family contingency plan in the event wealth is accumulated faster than anticipated or is lost due to unforeseen disasters. Without a family plan, the family will run to a loss.
- Medium range year to 5 years Some people call it “operational planning” which is gauged toward the mid-range of time. This may extend to a year or five. Typically, operational planning is derived from or is in response to a long-range plan. Some planning experts have termed this type of planning tactical planning.
- Short Range-Daily, weekly, and monthly, under one year. Short-range plans are those that happen daily and require attention today. Short-range plans are day-to-day occurrences. Included in this day-to-day schedule should be some sort of plan for paying bills. To develop a short-range plan, a short-range plan should be considered
- excellence
- limit credit
- set personal family goals
- work on honouring God and
- establishing sharing
Excellence
God wants us, as Christians, to excel in whatever we do to the best of our ability. We can excel all whatever we do daily, without egotism, and expect excellence apart from our daily goals. We need to focus all the time.
Limit credit
A part of every short-range plan should be to limit and curtail the use of credit Cod’s best is to adopt a cash-only policy. This doesn’t mean that Christians shouldn’t ever use credit facilities, but they should use them wisely, always keeping the balance current and achieving.
Set personal family goals
Establish goals relative to the family’s relationship with God and His directives, not what friends, relatives, and neighbours suggest or ask. There are limitless ways to lose money; one of the best is by following bad advice given by those the family trusts.
Work to honour God
The following are a few questions that Christians must answer if their work is to honour God. These points will help to know how to serve God and be committed to Him. Take note of the below.
- Will my daily actions be a witness for Christ?
- Can I do my work and honour God?
- Am I helping others violate principles that I believe in? and
- Am I providing a service or simply satisfying, an ambition?” Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”(Galatians 6:9)
Establish sharing
Because the tithe is a material testimony to a spiritual commitment, one of the first goals a Christian family should establish is to tithe the first part of their income.
Practical Steps in Creating a Successful & Effective Planning
- Change of attitude-James 2:26
- Write your plans out. Habakkuk 2:2-3.
- Create a road map-Luke 14:28-29
Now, take each component Break it down into small, doable steps. What are the specific components? Is there a particular job you would like? Certain people or types of people you want to be around? Do you envision living in a specific place?
What do you see yourself accomplishing? What new things do you want to learn or explore? How do you want to grow and change as a person? What do you need to do to make it happen? What do you need to change about yourself?
What skills do you need to acquire? What other changes need to be made? Is there anything here that you’re unwilling or unable to do?
- Place a time element on your plans.Eccl.3:1.
- Protect your priorities. John 11:6,32
- Pray your plans to God-Pro.16:9,
- As you work with your plan, reevaluate it periodically-Haggai.
- Which of these steps do you intend to take? (Circle each number that applies)
Conclusion
It has been concluded that planning is an essential part of Christians’ virtues. As Christians, we have to plan for everything we do so that it will be easy to implement them and do them right.
Poor Christians will just do things without planning. As said earlier, planning is the vehicle that carries goals and vision to the destination of achievement and fulfilment. You can read more similar posts on our Bible page of the site.
