Planning is an essential part of leading a business. There are two basic concepts of planning in Proverbs: Plotting (תַּחֲרֹ֣שׁ, literally to plan secretly, usually something wicked) and Planning (מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת, literally the content of what a person is thinking about). The first word focuses more on how the evil plan their future. The second word is more instructive for us as Disciples of Jesus Christ. Proverbs has much to say about planning, so let’s get started.
Proverbs 3.29
Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you
This is one of four verses that gives four prohibitions against malevolent behavior. Verses 27-28 command the reader not to fail to do good whereas 29-30 prohibit malicious activity. Hence, in these four verses (27-30) we find four commands:
- Do not withhold good from those whom it is due when it is in your power to act
- Do not withhold giving to your neighbor
- Do not plan to do harm against your neighbor
- Do not falsely accuse your neighbor
For our discussion here, 3.29 is best illustrated by Jezebel’s conspiracy against Naboth and Haman’s designs on Mordecai in Esther.
Note also that the concept of deceit is assumed – the contrast between plotting harm against your neighbors who trust you indicates that deceit will be employed as part of your plan to harm your neighbor. The element of surprise via deceit is in view here.
Proverbs 6.12-15
12 A troublemaker and a villain,
who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks maliciously with his eye,
signals with his feet
and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart—
he always stirs up conflict.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;
he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy
In this section, a troublemaker and a villain is described by a cluster of character traits:
- Corrupt (עִקְּשׁוּת, literally the act of perverting something by turning it to a wrong use) talk
- Sinister non-verbal’s (winking, shuffling feet, motions with fingers – remember the movie The Sting?)
- Plots evil with deceit
- Stirs up conflict
Consider this cluster or matrix of character traits – if you see two or more of the six, be on guard for the others and stay far away from a person like this.
Proverbs 12.5
The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful
Here, the plans of a just (righteous) person is compared with that of a wicked person whose plans deceive others. Note also that the concept of a “plan” and “advice” are compared, instructing us that when we create plans, we’re advising those who charged with implementing the plan. A righteous plan does not deceive – it does not mislead or contain deceptions.
Proverbs 12.20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy
This is the third time we’re seeing the connection between evil plans and deceit. We’re also seeing that evil plans create strife and conflict because the contrast is with those who promote peace. The opposite of evil plans with deceit is the promotion of peace that results in joy. The follower of God will be aware of this command to avoid deceit and evil and will take intentional actions to ensure that is not part of his/her business.
In business, we must be careful to ensure our marketing, sales and contracts do not deceive or mislead others. We should be intentional about not overstating the quality of our products and services or the positive effects our customers will experience after engaging us. When you hear marketing that sounds too good to be true, your guard should be very high.
Proverbs 14.22
Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness
One’s moral behavior is usually the result of planning. When we plan evil, we go astray. But when we plan that which is good, we find love and faithfulness. Both love and faithfulness are characteristics of God and help us understand that planning “good” will also point us to God and demonstrates these two aspects of His character to a lost and broken world.
Proverbs 15.22
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed
Plans that are created without proper input from those with the right experience and expertise will likely fail, but if you include the right advisors, your plans will succeed. This instructs the business owner and leader to have a team of advisors around them who are allowed to speak into the owner’s plans and business. This is often a serious short coming of most business owners: they are often too proud and too independent to seek out help and collaboration with a team of trusted advisors.
Proverbs 16.1
To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue
Biblical righteousness is fundamentally an attitude of trusting in God. We will “feel” that a certain plan is the right way to go – our intuition may point us in a specific direction. But from God comes the answer of logic and speech. God doesn’t intuit His way through time or our lives.
Proverbs 16.3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans
Similar to Proverbs 16.1, we find that when we commit all of our work to God, that He will “establish” our plans. The word for establish (יִכֹּ֗נוּ, literally, to stand up, to sit erect, to set up) gives a flavor of God making one’s plans firm and strong: when God establishes our plans, the storms of life will not sway them.
Proverbs 16.9
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps
Again, we make our plans, but God’s sovereignty determines our steps. This verse wraps up both major lines of theology into one verse: free will and God’s sovereignty. The Doctrine of Concurrency is so helpful at this point – the notion that both are true. We make our plans, but God determines our steps. Both are true.
Proverbs 16.27
A scoundrel plots evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire
Slander is in view in this verse. Scoundrels (בְּ֭לִיַּעַל אִישׁ, literally a man of no worth, especially in regards to righteous behavior – “the term describes deep depravity and wickedness” (EBC)) plot evil and they have no problem slandering others. Slander is described like a “scorching fire” which speaks of the devastating effect of his words. This person digs for scandal and then propagates it with words which are on fire. Investigative reporting borders on this activity. Finding out dirt about a competitor and then spreading it around exemplifies the actions condemned in this verse.
Proverbs 19.21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails
Plans represent purposes. Plans try to accomplish that which is purposeful. Let’s remember that no matter what our purposes are, God’s purposes will prevail. Ultimately, this verse teaches the same core truth as that of 16.9: we make our plans, but God’s sovereignty will win every time. When it matters, God does not lose out to man’s efforts.
Proverbs 20.18
Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance
True plans incorporate the wisdom of trusted advisors. Business leaders who draw up their own plans without input of advisors do so at their own peril. This need for advice is heightened when waging war. Business is sometimes war. If you’re going to compete head-to-head, be sure to seek the advice of other leaders and owners – you’ll need it to be successful.
Proverbs 21.5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty
Plans, by themselves, are worthless. While they represent purposes and advice, in order to bear fruit, plans must be executed. This is where so many businesses fail – they spent time and money on building great plans – but then they don’t execute well. Poorly executed plans lead to poverty. Executing a plan is an intentional activity. Just like being intentional to spend time with God, tell your spouse you love him/her or saving for retirement, executing a business plan requires intentionality.
Proverbs 21.30
There is no wisdom, no insight,
no plan that can succeed against the LORD
There no nuance in this verse: God’s plans will win every time when in conflict with man’s plans.
Summary
- God’s purposes will prevail when our plans are in conflict with His
- We should seek advice from others in order to ensure our plans will succeed
- We must execute our plans well
- We must never plan evil or allow for evil in our plans
- We must be intentional in planning and execution of our plans
