Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer. (Prov. 30:25)
HERE IS A TALE OF TWO WORKERS. Henri and Jake worked at the same printing company for forty years. When Henri retired, he was able to purchase a comfortable cottage in a golf-course community. While his wife went shopping, he went golfing. Jake, on the other hand, had to sell his house when he retired so he and his wife could afford an apartment in a rather unsafe part of town. While his wife takes babysitting jobs, Jake works thirty hours a week as a night watchman.
Why the difference? Henri prepared for retirement by contributing part of his weekly salary to a 401K program and another part to a savings account. Jake could have done what Henri did, but he chose instead to sacrifice the future on the altar of the immediate. He lived beyond his means and piled up insurmountable debt. For example, every year he spent a small fortune so he and his wife could travel first class on exotic cruises and tours of distant countries. He even treated his favorite aunt and uncle to a Mediterranean cruise. Of course, his unwise spending habits caught up with him.
Let’s not go the way of Jake. Instead, let’s thank the Lord for His gracious daily provisions and plan ahead to maximize their worth! Even ants teach us to do so.
Reflect on how you will wisely set aside a portion of what the Lord has given you so your future will bring honor to Him.
Jim Dyet was born in Scotland and raised in Canada. Married for fifty-six years, he and Gloria live in Colorado Springs and enjoy daily walks with their three dogs.
