A Different Kind of Plan This Year

What the Bible says about Refocusing Your Life – part 3

Several men in the locker room of a private exercise club were talking when a cell phone lying on the bench rang. One man picked it up without hesitation, and the following conversation ensued:

"Hello?"

"Honey, It's me."

"Sugar!"

"I'm at the mall two blocks from the club. I saw a beautiful mink coat. It is absolutely gorgeous! Can I buy it? It's only $1,500."

"Well, okay, if you like it that much."

"Thanks! Oh, and I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new models. I saw one I really liked. I spoke with the salesman, and he gave me a great price."

"How much?"

"Only $70,000!"

"Okay, but for that price I want it with all the options."

"Great! Before we hang up, there's something else. It might seem like a lot, but, well, I stopped by to see the real estate agent this morning, and I saw the house we had looked at last year. It's on sale! Remember? The beachfront property with the pool and the English garden?"

"How much are they asking?"

"Only $450,000, a magnificent price, and we have that much in the bank to cover it."

"Well then, go ahead and buy it, but put in a bid for only $420,000, okay?"

"Okay, sweetie. Thanks! I'll see you later! I love you!"

"I love you, too."

The man hung up, closed the phone's flap, and raised it aloft, asking, "Does anyone know who this cell phone belongs to?"

Now that’s generous!

Certainly no one is expecting or trying to fail at what they do. No one wants to crumble before the circumstances and problems that will come this year, or throw in the towel because what they hoped for and planned for fell apart. Nobody purposely plans to fail, and yet many plans are made that fail, and cause those who made them to fail. Which makes us ask the question—what kinds of plans make it? How do you know if a plan is a good one? Is there a way of planning that has success in its nucleus? The answer is yes. The bible tells us what kind of plans breed long term success. They are noble plans.

”But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.” (Isaiah 32:8 NIV)

Now I know the term “noble” can be a bit ambiguous; but the literal meaning of that word in this scripture is “generous”. Agenerous man makes generous plans, and by generous deeds he stands. Within this scripture is a seed for a successful life—generosity. Not many people think “giving” when they make new years resolutions, but we should. You see, when we are givers, God orchestrates other people to give to us.

”38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38 KJV)

God organizes your life to receive help, encouragement, money, assistance for your children based on how generous you are! People fall and fail because when they hit a crises there is no help to be found.

One of my good friends in our church had a son living in another part of the country. That son was not living as a Christian, and the lifestyle he was leading could have brought great damage to his marriage and family. My friend had said about all he could say to his son and still it was getting better. So he decided to find some youth here locally that were troubled and he made plans to be a blessing and minister to them. He would pick them up and bring them to church, pray for them, and counsel them.

Then one day my friend came and told me that a pastor had gone to speak to his son, and his son had given his life to Christ. It was awesome.

My friend was a generous man who made generous plans and by those generous deeds he and his son stand.

Why don’t you make plans this year to be a giver? Make plans to serve others. Make plans to give financially this year. Give to your church, to a missionary. Think give and follow through. If you do, you initiate a plan of action by God to bring help to your home. What a way to live!