“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field; and after that build your house”
(Proverbs 24:27, ESV).

Every chance I got I would go into that store and gaze at the display case. There they were, four Matchbox cars, replicas of vintage cars, a perfect set. Every time I entered the dark interior of the store, and waited for my eyes to adjust to the indoor light, I was fearful. Had somebody already bought the set?

In the meantime, I was saving my allowance money as fast as I could, astonishing parents and neighbors with offers to do jobs for a little extra. It took months to save up enough money. The wait was excruciating.

Today we live in a world of instant gratification. Lay a credit card down! Don’t wait until you can afford the item you dream of, get it instantly, pay for it eternally!

When do you pay it back? Anybody with a credit card debt knows that monthly payments are like lightly salting the ocean — it takes forever, and cripples the family finances in the meantime.

The wise man understood this. Ensure the source of your income first, before paying for a luxurious house. Live within your means. Save up to buy the objects of your desire.

By the way, I bought those Matchbox cars eventually.
They were worth the wait!

–by Stan Mitchell