Rainy Day Fund

"Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." ( Proverbs 21:20ESV) Note that the proverb does not say a rich man. The wise man does not consume everything he has. Currently i am reading a book by a famous author, which i hope to review upon completion, dealing with the disintegration of the institutions which have characterized western civilization over the past several centuries. The author blithely sweeps aside Protestantism, and its focus on the Bible, as a cause of the success which he now sees so clearly fading away. And yet verses like the one quoted above with its emphasis on individual responsibility to live within one's means, and putting something away for a rainy day rather than depending on the government to be responsible for us is at the heart of the difference that he sees between western and other civilizations up until recently.
   Most people do not live in the theoretical so my appeal in this paragraph is for people to tighten their belts and put something away for the proverbial rainy day, which will come. I have read that most Americans, in the most affluent country on the planet, are only three weeks away from serious financial difficulty. We have so many material things yet it is mostly a house of cards built on easy and irresponsible use of credit. We may have gotten a "deal" on whatever we bought but for the most part you will only get pennies on the dollar if you were to try to sell the item.
   Both Christian and secular financial experts urge building up a three to six month cushion of living expenses as a first priority. Nowadays many people enter marriage with large student, credit card, automotive, and other debt and the hole only gets deeper as times goes on. Don't be the foolish person who devours everything that you have.
     "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it." (Proverbs 13:11ESV)