Write Your Plan and Goal
To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
~ Proverbs 16:1
What is Planning?
Often Christians question whether they should do any planning. They ask, “Well, shouldn’t a Christian depend totally on God?” The answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean we are to sit at home waiting for God to deliver manna again! Although some may think so, this is not God’s design.
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
~ Proverbs 27:23-24
Throughout the Bible, we see leaders making plans and seeing them through for God’s glory. Planning is an essential element for success in any financial program – but particularly so for Christians. God is an orderly provider and expects the same from us. As we read in Proverbs, there is wisdom in planning.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
~ Proverbs 24:3-4
Describe the three essential elements in good planning.
- Wisdom
- Understanding
- Knowledge
Your overall financial plan, as God’s child, should be to be an excellent manager of the money God entrusts to you. Your goals should emanate from the heart of God rather than from your own fleshly nature or desires.
Invest some time in prayer alone and with another person whom you know to be sensitive to God’s voice. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).
Once you get the green light from God, write down your overall plan and your goals. You need to divide your goals into two categories: short-term and long-term. The short-term goals represent what you’d like to achieve within the next three years.
Long-term goals would be your desires for the period four to ten years from now.
Prioritise each one according to their importance to you and indicate a specific date by which you plan to accomplish the goal. A goal without a due date is just a wish.
Here is a list of possible short-term and long-term goals to get you started:
Short-Term Goals:
?I will save three months of living expenses by ______________________________________________.
?I will quit my job and start a business by ______________________________________________.
?I will eliminate all credit card debt by ______________________________________________.
?I will take a dream vacation to __________________by ______________________________________________.
?I will move into my own apartment by ______________________________________________.
?I will complete my college degree by ______________________________________________.
Long Term Goals:
?I will save $______________ for my child’s college education by __________________________________.
?I will purchase a home by ______________________________________________.
?I will invest at least $_________ into my retirement fund by _______________________________________.
Write or type it in large letters. Start with the words, “By the grace of God, I will ________________________________________ by _____________________________________________.”
Again I want to caution you that before you put your goals in stone, it is important to ask yourself, “Do these goals represent my vision or someone else’s?”
Do the soul searching before you even start.
Questions:
- What obstacles or problems might you encounter in achieving your goals?
- What additional training or skills do you need?
- Are there other ways to accomplish your goals? If so, list them.
Doris Ng | HP: 96260674 | [email protected] | dnafinancialcareers.com | facebook.com/dnafinancialcareers