“Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.”
In plain words: Wise people keep good things stored up for later, but foolish people use up everything the moment they get it.
What Proverbs 21:20 means.
The wise store up treasure, while the foolish spend everything they get. What you keep matters as much as what you make.
Common questions about Proverbs 21:20
What are "treasures and oil" in this verse?
In Bible times, oil was used for cooking, for lamps and for caring for the body. It was valuable, a bit like savings or a full pantry today. So "treasures and oil" means good things stored up for later: food, supplies, money. The wise person keeps some of what comes in, so there is something there when a hard season arrives. The foolish person uses it all up right away. The verse is about what you do with what you have, not about how much you have.
Apply it today: Name one thing, like food, time or a little money, that you could keep for later this week.
Does this mean it is wrong to enjoy spending money?
No. The verse does not say spending is bad. It warns about a person who uses up everything with no thought for tomorrow. In 1 Timothy 6:17-18, the Bible says God gives us many things to enjoy, and it also calls us to do good and be ready to share with others. Wise living has room for joy, for sharing and for saving. The problem is not enjoying good things. The problem is letting them slip away without any thought.
Apply it today: Pick one thing you enjoy, and thank God for it before you spend on it.
What if I have very little to save?
Wisdom is not about having a lot. Proverbs 6:6-8 points to the ant, a tiny creature that still gathers food ahead of time. Small steps count: setting a little aside, paying what you owe, waiting before you buy something you do not need. Jesus said that a person who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much (Luke 16:10). If money is tight right now, that does not mean you have failed. Many people face hard seasons, and small, steady choices still matter.
Apply it today: Set aside one small amount today, even a few coins, in a safe place.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
Before you spend anything else today, move part of your income into savings or investments.
Pray it back.
Lord, make me wise with what comes in. Teach me to keep and grow it.
Carry it all day.
Put today’s verse on your lock screen, so every time you pick up your phone, the Word is the first thing you see.
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One verse every morning at 7 a.m. your time. Leave any time.