The Difference Between Planning and Presuming
Faith & Finance with Rob West
As much as we’d like to, none of us can see the future. But that hasn’t stopped us from trying. Financial advisors attempt to forecast markets, meteorologists predict the weather, and sports fans try to call the final score. But when it comes to our finances—and our faith—there’s an important distinction between wise planning and prideful presumption. So how do we tell the difference?
Show Notes
As much as we’d like to, none of us can see the future. But that hasn’t stopped us from trying. Financial advisors attempt to forecast markets, meteorologists predict the weather, and sports fans try to call the final score.
But when it comes to our finances—and our faith—there’s an important distinction between wise planning and prideful presumption. So how do we tell the difference?
The late civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy once said, “I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know Who holds the future.” That’s a comforting truth. God is sovereign—and that brings peace. But His sovereignty doesn’t remove our responsibility to act wisely.Biblical Planning Is a Form of Stewardship
Scripture doesn’t discourage planning—it commands it. In fact, wise planning is an essential part of faithful stewardship. God has entrusted us with time, money, relationships, and opportunities. Even though we can’t predict tomorrow, we’re still called to be faithful with today.
Proverbs 6 paints a vivid picture of this wisdom:“Go to the ant… consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”The ant doesn’t know what’s ahead, but it prepares. Likewise, Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 to live in a state of readiness. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Though He’s referring to His return, the principle holds: life is short, time is precious, and we are not in control.
When Planning Becomes Presumption
Planning becomes presumption when we assume control over outcomes that belong to God alone.
To presume means “to assume something before you know the facts.” Biblically, presumption is often associated with pride—living as if we control the future and no longer need God’s input. This attitude is precisely what Jesus warns against in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12).After a man harvests a bumper crop, he says to himself:“I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones…You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”But God replies:
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