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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The Bible offers a balanced approach to setting goals that includes making plans yet doing so with wisdom and humility. Jesus' illustration of building a tower implies that it is a good thing to ha...
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Hairy Animals
Supporter
Proverbs 13:4 ESV The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Colossians 3:23 ESV Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. Proverbs 10:4 ESV A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 18:9 ESV Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Proverbs 21:25 ESV The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. Proverbs 20:4 ESV The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. Proverbs 24:30-34 ESV I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Proverbs 20:13 ESV Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. Proverbs 19:15 ESV Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. John 5:17 ESV But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Proverbs 6:6 ESV Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Proverbs 12:24 ESV The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Proverbs 26:13-16 ESV The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As you can see, the Bible has quite a few verses regarding laziness. We are not to be lazy. But many people cannot seem to get anything done unless they have specific plans and/or goals in their life. In this case, there is nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself. However, just because we have a to-do list or a set of goals for the day does not mean we are bound by those goals. Our goals may not at all be the goals that our Father in heaven wants us to have. We may not be doing His will. It is therefore very important to spend time praying and asking God to show you His will. Ask Him what goals He wants you to have in life. Hope this helped.
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
What does the Bible say about setting goals? Paul defines setting goals as such: Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of the anointed one, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in the anointed one Jesus.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Setting Goals? "Many a man has an excellent aim in life, but no ammunition." - C.C. Colton Here is some ammunition! Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” HASTE MAKES WASTE! (a saying my grandmother [on my mom's side--"More More"], on one of her cupboards). Proverbs 19:2 also says, "Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste." James 4:13-15: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” Compare James 4 with Job 9:25 The Message (MSG) “My time is short—what’s left of my life races off too fast for me..." I'm 76 years old. Most of my life I've been a runner: And now-- “My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away." I'm in my golden years. Thus, the need heightens for setting goals, and realizing those goals! Proverbs 16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 15:22: Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Luke 14:28-31: For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish." Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? James 4:15-16: Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Pray that the Lord's plans for you might result in your plans! (Jeremiah 29:11 -- "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. " --combining 8 Bible Verses about Goal Setting - Online Bible with 100 Bible Verses about Setting Goals (https://www.openbible.info/topics/
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
What does the Bible say about setting goals? The Bible supports setting goals through diligent planning, wisdom, and future-mindedness, provided they are surrendered to God's will and purpose. It encourages preparing for the future (Proverbs 6:6-11), calculating the cost of endeavours (Luke 14:28-30), and aligning goals with God's kingdom (Matthew 6:33), while warning against arrogant, self-serving plans. Principles for Goal Setting Plan with Diligence, Not Haste: Godly goals are planned carefully. Proverbs 21:5 states, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty," suggesting that diligence and careful preparation lead to profit. Submit Plans to God's Will: The Bible teaches that while we make plans, God directs the outcome. Proverbs 16:9 notes, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps," reminding believers to hold plans loosely. Seek God's Kingdom First: Goals should ultimately serve God's kingdom and righteousness, rather than self-glory, as Matthew 6:33-34 teaches. Write Down the Vision: Habakkuk 2:2 encourages writing down a vision to make it clear, allowing others to "run with it," which applies to setting actionable, clear goals. Accountability and Humility: Scripture advises against arrogant planning that ignores God. James 4:13-15 warns against saying "I will do this or that" without saying "If the Lord wills". Work Hard and Be Patient: Goals require effort. Proverbs 14:23 says, "In all labour there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty". Examples: Biblical figures like Noah (building the ark), Nehemiah (rebuilding the wall), and Paul (missionary journeys) demonstrated goal-oriented, yet obedient, lives. Guidance: Practical advice includes writing down visions, seeking counsel to ensure success, and exercising discipline, as described in Proverbs and 1 Corinthians. Choose a specific goal. Prayerfully consider which aspects of your personality need improvement. Select one specific quality that you would like to focus on. For instance, could you cultivate greater empathy or a stronger desire to support fellow worshippers? Do you need to be more peaceable and forgiving? You may find it helpful to ask a trusted friend for suggestions on how you could improve.—Prov. 27:6. Many have found that an aid to being absorbed in personal study is setting a realistic goal, such as reading the entire Bible. The Holy Spirit operated toward or upon men to move them and guide them in setting down God's message. The evidence shows that God's spirit operated on the minds and hearts of all the Bible writers, carrying them toward the goal God purposed. Bible Verses To Think on When Setting Goals 2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." Psalm 20:4 "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 33:11 "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Psalm 37:4-5 "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him. Psalm 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans." Proverbs 16:9 · "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Scripture calls us to a higher standard in setting goals. The goals we set as Christians must be in accordance with God's will and under his leadership. Colossians 3:23 advises, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord," suggesting that our objectives should be aimed at glorifying Him rather than merely seeking worldly success.
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