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I don't think there is a problem with planning ahead, although there are caveats in my answer. I heartedly believe that God wants us to use the gifts and talents that He has given us. That being said, we need to remember Him and the expectations He has for ourselves and humanity in all of our decisions. I always tell my girls, "Pray on it.” Wait for your answer. God wants us to include Him in all that we do. If what we want to do does not fit the "path" He has planned for us, then I believe we will be met with opposition. In my humble opinion, I believe "Pray on it" is the best course of action. Include Him. Praise!
I would say that it would depend upon the attitude and orientation with which we do such planning -- specifically, whether we take God and eternity into account, or whether we are thinking only of ourselves, and of this life and world. Any planning that we do should be with the recognition that all such plans (as well as the time in which to perform them) are ultimately subject to God's discretion, control, and involvement (Luke 12:13-21), and take that fact into account (as noted by James in the passage cited in the question). For Christians, it should also reflect our obligations to love and serve God and others in the use we make of the "3 T's" (time, talents, and treasure) that He has entrusted to us, and our awareness of the eternal consequences of those decisions.
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