We see what others possess and feel compelled to match those levels. Stretching our time and finances so we can satisfy the self often keeps us on the edge of financial ruin. One “hiccup” in the economy and doom stands at the door. Good advice is to be satisfied with a roof, clothing and enough food, but also to focus on stabilizing your income and the work that is waiting to be done.

Proverbs 24:27 advises to make your field fit first and then build your house. “A home is a man’s castle” goes the old saying. Our house is a place where we can rest and feel secure. That is where human comforts reside. But the fields cannot wait until the house is built—seasons arrive one after the other. The house can wait, and having enough to get by while we take advantage of the best conditions outside the home is the key to comfort in a home that will last. Field first, comfort later.