What Does The Bible Say About Taking Risks?

Taking risks can be daunting, but is often necessary for growth. If you’ve wondered what guidance the Bible offers on managing risk, this comprehensive article explores various biblical principles on the topic.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible encourages both careful planning and thoughtful risk-taking, emphasizing wisdom, prayerfulness and seeking counsel when facing major decisions. Ultimately Scripture calls followers of God to step out in faith rather than fear.

Biblical Principles on Stewardship and Planning

Avoiding Unnecessary Risks Through Wise Planning

The Bible encourages believers to be wise stewards of the resources God has given them. This includes carefully planning and avoiding unnecessary risks (Proverbs 21:5). As Proverbs 27:23-27 says, we should pay close attention to the state of our flocks and herds – in other words, wisely manage our affairs.

Ecclesiastes 11:2 also advises diversifying investments instead of putting all our eggs in one basket.

Seeking wise counsel can help Christians make prudent financial decisions and avoid unwise risks (Proverbs 15:22). For example, before making a major purchase or investment we should seek advice from financially mature believers and experts to evaluate both risks and rewards.

We can also learn from Scripture about giving generously rather than accumulating wealth as our security (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19).

Seeking Godly Counsel and Community Accountability

In addition to planning carefully, Christians should seek godly counsel when making major financial decisions according to Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Consulting spiritually mature believers helps provide wisdom and accountability.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes the value of community, stating that “two are better than one.” Fellow believers can provide feedback, accountability, and support to help us steward resources wisely. Hebrews 10:24-25 commands us not to neglect meeting together.

Community helps avoid unwise risk-taking by providing godly perspective and advice.

Biblical Examples of Faith-Driven Risks

Abraham’s Journey to an Unknown Land

Abraham’s story begins in Genesis 12 when God calls him to leave his homeland and go to a place He would show him. This was a tremendous risk and act of faith for Abraham. He left everything familiar behind and set out on a journey to an unknown destination, trusting that God would guide and bless him.

Abraham demonstrates remarkable courage and obedience in stepping out into the unknown future God had prepared for him.

Throughout his journey, Abraham faced many challenges like famine and threats from kings, but God protected him. God eventually led Abraham to Canaan and promised to give that land to his offspring. Though Abraham never saw this promise fulfilled in his lifetime, his risky faith set the foundation for the future nation of Israel.

Esther’s Courage Before the King

Queen Esther took a daring risk when she decided to approach King Xerxes unsummoned to intercede for the Jews who were slated for destruction. Approaching the king uninvited could have resulted in her death, as the king did not show initial favor toward her.

However, Esther courageously laid her life on the line for a chance to save her people.

Esther fasted and prayed for three days to prepare herself before approaching the king with her request. Her courageous faith led to the king holding out his scepter and receiving her. This opened a door for Esther to speak up and advocate for her people, leading the king to authorize actions that rescued the Jews from harm.

Peter’s Steps Out of the Boat

One of the most dramatic stories of risk-taking faith comes from Matthew 14, when Peter rashly stepped out of the boat to walk on the water toward Jesus. This audacious act required Peter to tune out the stormy conditions around him and radically trust that Jesus would enable him to achieve the impossible.

Though Peter initially faltered when seeing the strong wind, Jesus caught him. This exemplified both Peter’s bold faith, and Jesus’ protection over those who step out in faith.

Though Peter’s stepping out of the boat was unwise in human terms, it illustrates a childlike faith in Jesus’ power. Jesus did not rebuke Peter for this courageous act, but rather encouraged him to have faith.

Peter’s brief water-walking experience shaped his faith and showed the other disciples that radical trust in Jesus can lead us to do the unimaginable.

The Role of Discernment, Wisdom and Prayer

Asking God for Wisdom in Decision Making

When facing difficult decisions, it’s important to seek God’s wisdom through prayer. As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

We can humbly ask God to help us discern His will and make wise choices that align with biblical principles.

For example, when considering a major life change like switching careers or moving, we can pray for clarity on whether it’s the right timing according to God’s plan. Or when weighing options for a financial investment or business venture, asking God to reveal any hidden risks or guard our hearts from greed can protect us from unwise decisions.

Continually praying for wisdom rather than relying solely on our limited human logic helps transform our minds to see situations more clearly from God’s higher perspective (Romans 12:2). This prevents hasty choices based on emotion rather than spiritual discernment.

Understanding Healthy Versus Unhealthy Risks

While taking risks can lead to growth, not all risks align with godly wisdom. Assessing the motivation and potential impact of a risk can reveal whether it’s spiritually healthy or unhealthy.

For example, launching a nonprofit ministry for homeless youth could be a wise risk if undertaken with prayerful dependence on God rather than self-reliance. However, investing retirement savings into a get-rich-quick real estate scheme motivated by greed would likely be an unwise risk that leads to loss rather than spiritual growth.

Other key factors are considering who could be helped or hurt by potential outcomes. Is this risk an act of faith that assists the vulnerable, or does it exploit others? What stewardship responsibilities could be neglected if the risk leads to failure?

By filtering opportunities through prayer and measuring them against biblical values, we can pursue chances that require dependence on God yet bring glory to Him. This type of intentional risk-assessment helps us take leaps aligned with God’s purposes rather than our own selfish gain.

Trusting God to Lead Through Unknown Paths

Letting Go of the Need to Control Outcomes

As humans, we often feel most comfortable when we can control outcomes and ensure certainty in our lives. However, the Bible calls us to release control and trust that God will guide us down unknown paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

This requires humility, flexibility, and faith that the Lord knows what is best for us.

Rather than obsessively plotting out every detail of our lives, Scripture encourages living one day at a time and seeking God’s will daily (Matthew 6:34). We can make plans for the future while simultaneously remaining open and adaptable to where He might lead with His divine wisdom.

As it is written in James 4:13-15, we do not even know what tomorrow may bring – our lives are but a mist that appears for a short time and then vanishes. God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9); thus, surrendering outcomes to His sovereign will lifts a heavy burden from our shoulders that we were never meant to carry.

Cultivating Flexibility and Adaptability

Walking in faith down unfamiliar paths as the Lord directs requires living with open hands – willing to change course, let go of expectations, and close some doors while having trust that God will open other ones.

As Ephesians 2:10 declares, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do the good works which He prepared in advance for us to do. If we want to fulfill these God-ordained works, we must be ready and willing when He calls us to new ventures or closes doors even when we don’t understand His timing or direction.

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that we can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Abraham’s life stands as an inspirational biblical example of someone willing to leave comfort and security behind to follow God’s guidance into the unknown. As Hebrews 11:8 describes, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Abraham did not cling tightly to his circumstances, future plans or perceived control, but rather remained adaptable and flexible, trusting in God’s purpose and direction.

As Romans 4:20-21 affirms, Abraham did not waver in believing God’s promises but was “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

It can be frightening to step out into unsure destinations, but we can be confident that Scripture urges believers to listen for and follow the Shepherd’s voice. As we let go of control and say “yes” to the Lord’s guidance one day at a time, He will faithfully lead us to green pastures and still waters even through the unknown valleys.

We were designed to walk in trusting dependence rather than self-sufficiency. Though the course may wind and surprise us, we can have peace knowing our Good Shepherd has promised never to forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Conclusion

While the Bible doesn’t explicitly use the language of “risk-taking,” it provides profound insights on discerning when to step out in faith versus plan cautiously. Most importantly Scripture reminds believers to seek God first, rather than charging ahead or shrinking back merely out of human fear.

By walking closely with Jesus day by day, His followers access the supernatural wisdom and power to take risks as He leads.