Today, let us meditate on Proverbs 21:20: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” When we read this verse, we are reminded of many popular sayings in the world: “Live life like there’s no tomorrow,” “Don’t worry about tomorrow,” “Seize the day,” and “Tomorrow is never promised.” Because of such ideas, many people choose to live only for the present. They say, “Let me enjoy today. I just need to get through this day. I don’t need to think about tomorrow.” As a result, they do not consider their future or prepare for difficult times. They fail to save or store up resources for seasons of need. We witnessed this during the pandemic. Many people suddenly lost their jobs and had no savings to depend on. Families struggled to put food on the table and found it difficult to pay their bills. Many suffered because they had not been able to prepare for such an unexpected crisis. 

The Bible gives us a wonderful example of godly wisdom through Joseph. God revealed to Joseph that there would be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. God gave him the wisdom to store up grain during the years of plenty. Joseph gathered grain from all the fields in every city in such great quantities that it could no longer be measured or counted. When the famine began, people came to Egypt to buy grain. First, they exchanged their money for grain. Later, they exchanged their livestock. Then they sold their land. Eventually, they even became servants of Pharaoh in order to survive. Because Joseph obeyed God's wisdom and prepared in advance, Pharaoh highly honored him and entrusted him with great authority.

In the same way, God desires to give you wisdom to prepare for your future and for your family. As we read in Proverbs, wisdom teaches us to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. You may wonder, “Doesn't the Bible also say not to worry about tomorrow?” Yes, it does. God never wants us to live in anxiety or fear about the future. However, trusting God does not mean living carelessly. Instead, He gives us the wisdom to prepare wisely while placing our confidence completely in Him.

Perhaps today you feel that your income is just enough to meet your daily needs. You may think, “I don't have anything extra. I barely make enough to make ends meet.” But remember God's promise. As the Bible says in Philippians 4, God will supply all your needs. He is able to prosper you according to His riches. Therefore, put your trust in the Lord. He will provide for your needs, give you wisdom to manage your resources, and prosper the work of your hands. Just as Joseph became a blessing to countless people, God can also bless you so that you may help others in their time of need. God is able to bless you with overflowing blessings—blessings beyond measure, so abundant that you will not be able to count them. Therefore, be encouraged and place your confidence in Him.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank You for being my faithful Provider and the source of every good gift. Fill me with Your heavenly wisdom to manage every blessing You have entrusted to me. Remove every fear and anxiety about my future, and teach me to trust completely in Your unfailing provision. As You gave wisdom to Joseph to prepare during times of abundance, grant me the same wisdom to make wise decisions for my family and future. Supply all my needs, prosper the work of my hands, and bless my finances according to Your perfect will. Let my life overflow with blessings so that I may help those in need and bring glory to Your holy name. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.