The Moral Obligation to Plan

Service Notes

We will hear from Jon Canavan and Nate Wilkerson.

Remind every of the Thursday Send Off for Ewings, Mizes, Beckers

Introduction

“I am a runner” miles before he truly way. In same regard I am a planner.

Some of us have a more of a tendency to be planners but we all have a moral obligation to be one on some level.

Yall get enough preaching. It is my turn. :)

Advantage of Planning

The fundamental goal in all our planning: not that we get the victory, but that our God does

Proverbs 21:31 (KJV 1900)

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the Lord.

We pity lazy men, and strive not to be one.

Even normal responsibilities overwhelm him. He is paralyzed by absurd fears Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

He cannot provide for himself, or anyone else Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Just about anything is too hard for him Proverbs 19:24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

Those who once depended on him have learned not to Proverbs 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.

His cravings, never satisfied, slowly destroy him Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; For his hands refuse to labour.

What does this have to do with planning? A lack of planning is often a form of laziness

A lack of preparation is often just a subtle, more frenzied form of laziness. Some laziness lies on the couch all day, refusing to work at all. Other forms of laziness may keep busy, even frantic, but refuse to do the harder, earlier work of preparation.

Proverbs confronts the unprepared sluggard, who is a model for both forms of laziness:

Proverbs 6:6–8 (KJV 1900)

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest.

Planning is necessary to prioritize our energy

Proverbs 24:27 (KJV 1900)

27 Prepare thy work without, And make it fit for thyself in the field; And afterwards build thine house.

Extreme, prolonged business is often the fruit of not planning

Three Dangers:

1. Busyness can ruin our joy.

Unless we are aware and intentionally “fight right now for next week’s joy,” we are in jeopardy of losing it.

2. Busyness can rob our hearts. “If the worries don’t swamp us, the upkeep will.”

A great example of the consequences of busyness is showcased in Luke 10 with Mary and Martha

If someone recorded your life for a week and then showed it to a group of strangers, what would

they guess is the “good portion” in your life? What would they conclude is the one thing you must get done every day?

3. Busyness can cover up the rot in our souls.

“Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.”

List of manifestations of pride

People-pleasing,

pats on the back,

performance evaluations,

possessions,

proving myself,

pity,

poor planning,

power,

perfectionism,

position,

prestige,

posting.

Planning is necessary to being a good steward of life

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (KJV 1900)

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

“Why do I carry on this business, or why am I engaged in this trade or profession?” In most instances, so far as my experience goes, which I have gathered in my service among the saints during the last fifty-one years and a half, I believe the answer would be: “I am engaged in my earthly calling, that I may earn the means of obtaining the necessaries of life for myself and family.” Here is the chief error from which almost all the rest of the errors, which are entertained by children of God, relative to their calling, spring. It is no right and Scriptural motive, to be engaged in a trade, or business, or profession, merely in order to earn the means for the obtaining of the necessaries of life for ourselves and family; but we should work, because it is the Lord’s will concerning us.

“God gifts us with the incredibly gracious dignity of real responsibility.”

Three irrefutable truths about planning

I must set priorities b/c I can’t do it all.

I must set priorities if I am to serve others most effectively.

I must allow others to set their own priorities.

Knowing it is wise to plan ahead and prepare for tomorrow, we need to anchor all our plans in a purpose.

Consider Him in every area of your life

Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV 1900)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Effective plans that leave us with less of God are not effective.

Proverbs 15:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Limitations of Planning

Our confidence should not be in the horse, but in the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31 (KJV 1900)

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the Lord.

Psalm 20:7 KJV 1900

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

We make our plans informed by His Word, and trust God.

Proverbs 19:21 (KJV 1900)

21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; Nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Make time for planning, aim to do all for the glory of God, and then entrust yourself and your plans to the Lord

A righteous fear of God will cause a man or woman to long to do only what is the will of God.

Proverbs 16:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, And thy thoughts shall be established.

Every considered the time in planning could lead to worship

reflecting upon the priority of your day

considering who and what should be included

asking God for wisdom

recognizing we are unable to move the most important parts of this world

I am not recommending we replace our Bibles in our time of devotion with Day Planners. But I do believe it would be appropriate to lay it before God when you pray.