Planning with Open Hands

Financial planning matters. Without a plan, it is easy to drift—spending without purpose, saving only when convenient, and hoping retirement will somehow take care of itself. As participants in the BMA America Retirement Plan, we should be intentional about setting goals, contributing consistently, and making wise decisions for the future. That is part of being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Yet good planning carries a subtle danger: we can begin trusting the plan more than we trust the Lord.

Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”  Scripture does not condemn preparation. Proverbs points us to the ant as an example of diligence, and Jesus Himself spoke of counting the cost. But James 4 warns us not to presume upon tomorrow or speak as though the future is ours to control.

Our responsibility is to plan wisely and then work the plan faithfully. We save, prepare, and make prudent decisions—not because we know exactly what tomorrow holds, but because stewardship calls us to use today’s opportunities well. At the same time, we hold every plan with open hands, knowing that God may redirect our path, just as He redirected Paul in Acts 16.

The right balance is simple: prepare diligently, but surrender completely. Our retirement account is a tool, not our security. Our peace does not rest in market returns, account balances, or perfectly executed plans. It rests in the Lord, who provides for us today and directs our steps tomorrow.

This reflection was inspired in part by an article from Rob West that I read this past spring.

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Steve Crawley, PhD

BMA Financial

Executive Director