德成陈博士

DAILY REFLECTION
21 Aug 2026

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ ‭

Before the pandemic, the son of a friend of mine was working as a pilot, while his wife was an air hostess. Together, they earned more than RM30,000 a month and enjoyed a comfortable life in a terrace house. With good careers and steady incomes, their future seemed secure.

As their income grew, so did their expectations. Confident that their earnings would continue, they decided to upgrade their lifestyle and purchased a bungalow.

Then the pandemic came.

The aviation industry was severely affected, and suddenly both husband and wife lost their jobs. Two reliable incomes disappeared almost overnight, but their financial commitments remained. What had once seemed affordable quickly became a heavy burden.

Their experience reminds me of the wisdom of Proverbs 21:5. Scripture does not condemn success, prosperity, or enjoying the fruit of our labour. Neither does it teach us to live in constant fear of tomorrow. Rather, it warns us against haste—making major decisions based only on present circumstances without carefully considering what may lie ahead.

There is an important difference between faith and presumption.

Faith trusts God while exercising wisdom. Presumption assumes that because things are going well today, they will necessarily continue tomorrow.

Financial stewardship therefore requires more than asking, “Can I afford this now?” We should also ask, “If circumstances change, can I still carry this responsibility?”

Life is uncertain. Jobs can disappear, businesses can struggle, economies can change, and unexpected crises can come. We cannot predict everything, but we can prepare wisely.

This is why biblical stewardship calls us to live within our means, avoid unnecessary debt, save for difficult seasons, and seek God’s wisdom before making major commitments.

Perhaps you are considering an important financial decision today. Do not be pressured by comparison or the desire for immediate gratification.

Pray carefully. Plan diligently. Move patiently.

God’s blessing does not require us to rush. Sometimes wisdom means having the patience to wait until the foundation is strong enough to carry the dream.

“Careful planning is a mark of wisdom, stewardship, and foresight.”‬‬