Is God against setting goals?

[Blien]

If God wants us to seek His will so much. Then is God against setting goals for the future? For example.. if I have a goal to acummulate a certain sum of money and put it to use in a certain project (lets say the project honors the God). Will God then be displeased if I did not seek Him first? What if it was a small thing, like I want to create a beautiful landscape in my home garden. Or to be wealthy so that I can send as much contributions as possible to my church?

If we don't seek the Lord's will first does this mean that God is against our goals as individuals?

As Christians I think perhaps we sabotage ourselves in our theology and personal opinion about what makes a good Christian. This is just my opinion on the body of Christ in general. Anyway, looking forward to hearing your responses..

[Guest yod]

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[Fez]

If God wants us to seek His will so much. Then is God against setting goals for the future? For example.. if I have a goal to acummulate a certain sum of money and put it to use in a certain project (lets say the project honors the God). Will God then be displeased if I did not seek Him first? What if it was a small thing, like I want to create a beautiful landscape in my home garden. Or to be wealthy so that I can send as much contributions as possible to my church?

If we don't seek the Lord's will first does this mean that God is against our goals as individuals?

As Christians I think perhaps we sabotage ourselves in our theology and personal opinion about what makes a good Christian. This is just my opinion on the body of Christ in general. Anyway, looking forward to hearing your responses..

I just pray for provision, and I never stop thanking Him for His blessings, spiritual or material. Often (and I mean more often or not), I will start my car and say "Thank you Jesus", for the car starting (it should, it is good condition and serviced regularly), but more for the fact that He provided me with it.

As for planning, I think God wants us to have direction in life (there are good examples in scripture - Nehemiah springs to mind), and there is nothing wrong with having goals, as long as we have prayed about them first and they sit right with God (again Nehemiah - he really knew how to pray).

Lastly, being so wealthy that you can make large contributions to your church? There are people who do that, and I think if God wanted to use me for that He would have provided an overabundance. He has not, He has blessed me with everything I need, and I tithe what I can afford. I think the tithing comes from the heart, and not the wallet. But I really believe He has blessed certain people I know so they can be a blessing to the church and to others more than most of us can. More often as not because they are good with money, spend it wisley, and know how to make it grow for the good, without suffering from greed. (does that make sense?)

[EricH]

Paul set goals, but he allowed God to readjust them when He saw fit

[Blien]

Paul set goals, but he allowed God to readjust them when He saw fit

Remind me where?

[Blien]

I believe any plans we make should be in accordance with the good works God has prepared for us.These works He has set are ready for us to walk in and may not be anything like what we imagine.If we run of in a direction He does not want,I believe it will be fruitless.However if our plans are in accordance with His they will be successful.

Pray pray and thank the Lord in all things.

This is the same theology I was complaining about in my first post. Let me ask you a question, do you know God's calling on your life and are you putting it in practice? Or is what you said theoretical?

[OneLight]

Our plans should be sought through prayer, built through prayer and be led according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We need to always be careful not to step out of His will or ahead of Him. So easy mans pride sneaks in and starts to intertwine with our faith, causing them to wander on their own desires and not follow His will ... be on guard of this, my friend.

[Blien]

I believe any plans we make should be in accordance with the good works God has prepared for us.These works He has set are ready for us to walk in and may not be anything like what we imagine.If we run of in a direction He does not want,I believe it will be fruitless.However if our plans are in accordance with His they will be successful.

Pray pray and thank the Lord in all things.

This is the same theology I was complaining about in my first post. Let me ask you a question, do you know God's calling on your life and are you putting it in practice? Or is what you said theoretical?

Blien our daily works and plans are callings yes?I do not know what God has in store for me but I know the Spirit leads.When I am heading in the right direction there is peace and success.And yes,Jesus is having success in my simple life by being a witness to those around to God's glory.Who knows what will be next?

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

But what does this have to do with goal setting?

[Blien]

If it were possible to learn what God has called me to do, I would have done it long ago. If God told me "Go be a Chef" I would have done it. I just hate this theology that is going around saying that we need to seek God's will in everything. Yes it's good to seek Gods will and I do too.. but what if you tell God. "Lord I want to do this this and this." And he says nothing in reply?

I'll tell you what happened to me. I ended up going a head thinking his silence was an approval.. and here I am with a ruined career and pratically trapped with no job and a huge debt. Which God has been paying for me but ..every time I set my heart out to set goals for what I want to do this year to get my life back in order it fails miserably. This never happened to me before I was a born again Christian so I'm really confused as to what God thinks about setting goals.

[enoob57]

If God wants us to seek His will so much. Then is God against setting goals for the future? For example.. if I have a goal to accumulate a certain sum of money and put it to use in a certain project (lets say the project honors the God). Will God then be displeased if I did not seek Him first? What if it was a small thing, like I want to create a beautiful landscape in my home garden. Or to be wealthy so that I can send as much contributions as possible to my church?

If we don't seek the Lord's will first does this mean that God is against our goals as individuals?

As Christians I think perhaps we sabotage ourselves in our theology and personal opinion about what makes a good Christian. This is just my opinion on the body of Christ in general. Anyway, looking forward to hearing your responses..

I am evaluating everything! God's Word brings questions:

1. The seven churches in Revelation! 1 out of seven acceptable????? We better evaluate!!!!

2. This comment by The Lord-(How much do we place ourselves in the need of God's intervention?)

Luke 18:6-8

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

NKJV

3. He tells us-

Matt 6:19-21

19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

NKJV

4. Keep a diary or log of time you give to what! Basic math says the more is where your focus is- "The Pearl of Great Price"

Prov 4:23

Jer 4:14

Jer 22:17

Matt 12:34

Acts 8:21

Rom 7:5-7

Col 3:1-3

Philem 3-19

Heb 3:12

5. Does He really expect this of us?

Luke 18:22

22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

NKJV

I have evaluated this as a People that will not be prepared to sacrifice themselves when for the sake of food or shelter God's Word will not be preeminent. remember the first will be last and the last will be first-

Matt 10:8-10

Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

NKJV

Peter after Christ had ascended was still being obedient!

Acts 3:6-7

6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

NKJV

Father help us to see how we are to be as a people who bear Your Name! Love Steven