Proverbs 21:5 The plans (creation of new ideas and thoughts) of the diligent (those who constantly cut away distractions to stay focused on the present issue) lead to profit as surely as haste (giving in to the urge to rush through decisions) leads to poverty.
Planning is a really important skill to learn at any age. The ability to focus on a desire or challenge and develop a creative course of action will have a dramatic impact on the outcome. How many times have you given in to the urge to make a compulsive purchase or hasty decision and recognized later you should have planned and researched better? Retailers and marketers count on people to not make well planned choices. Television commercials, internet click advertising and even political campaigns are often structured with the hope you will not research the mid and long-term implications of your decisions. Wisdom in Proverbs 21 encourages us to stop compulsive decision making and start creating plans for; business (v5), relationships (v9,19), speech (v23), spiritual development (v30), and overcoming obstacles in life (v31). A prayerfully created, well-researched and executed plan will be the difference between profit and poverty in all aspects of life. Perhaps today is the day to stop leaving so much to chance or to the blind hope that decisions made in haste will just work out.
Jesus reminds us to, “seek first the Kingdom of God” and then all things we need will be added to our lives. Prayer is a great place to invite the Lord into creative new decisions.