Step 1: Wealth Building. Step 2: Acquisition.
“First plant your fields; then build your barn.” (Proverbs 24:27, MSG)
This is one of my favorite scriptures from the Great Book. It is simple, direct, and incredibly practical. It speaks to order, patience, and wisdom, especially when it comes to how we manage our finances. It reminds us that there is a sequence to building a stable life, and that skipping steps often comes with consequences.
The Proper Order:
- Build wealth
- Acquire possessions
That order matters more than most people realize.
Many people reverse it. They focus on acquiring possessions before building wealth, which often leads to debt, financial dependence, and a low or stagnant net worth. On the surface, it can look like progress. New car. New house. New upgrades. But underneath, the foundation is shaky.
One of the biggest financial mistakes people make is buying the car, the house, and the luxuries before they have built a financial system that works for them. A system that generates income, supports emergencies, and grows consistently over time. Instead of creating a well-oiled machine that produces wealth, they create a list of monthly obligations that must be fed.
They prioritize liabilities over assets.
This behavior is often driven by what I call shiny new object syndrome. It is much easier to focus on short-term pleasure than long-term gains. Long-term gains do not feel exciting in the moment. You do not get compliments for investing quietly or saving diligently. There is no immediate dopamine hit. But short-term pleasures are visible, celebrated, and heavily marketed.
If you want something today, you have more opportunities than ever to get it. As long as you can afford the minimum payment, you are told you are good to go. Society is designed to make financing easy and frictionless. The more you finance, the deeper you go into debt, and the more dependent you become on consistent income just to stay afloat.
“Escape the trap: Run from the debt like a deer fleeing a hunter, or fly from it like a bird escaping a trap” (Proverbs 6:5, MSG).
That imagery is intentional. Debt is not neutral. It limits options, creates pressure, and removes flexibility. Yet it has become the default way people pay for almost everything.
- How do people usually pay for their education? Through financing.
- How do people fund most of their purchases? Through financing.
- How do people usually buy homes? Through financing.
- How do people usually buy cars? Through financing.
- How do people usually travel? Through financing.
Financing has become so normalized that many people no longer pause to question whether the order makes sense. They do not ask if their income, investments, and savings can support their lifestyle without constant borrowing.
Most people do not focus on increasing passive income or building strong investment and savings accounts before making large purchases. Quite the opposite. As long as the minimum payment fits into the monthly budget, they feel confident they can afford their lifestyle.
But financing your lifestyle creates dependence. It assumes everything will continue to go right. It assumes stable income, stable health, and stable markets. When something goes wrong, such as a recession, job loss, or unexpected expense, the weight of those payments becomes very real. You are left with obligations, stress, and often very little ownership or flexibility.
This is why the scripture is so powerful.
“First plant your fields; then build your barn” (Proverbs 24:27, MSG).
The field represents wealth building. It represents investing, saving, building passive income, developing skills, and creating multiple income streams. It represents preparing for uncertainty and strengthening your financial health.
The barn represents possessions. Not just a home, but cars, upgrades, and material desires. The barn is not bad. It is simply meant to come later.
When you plant your fields first, the barn becomes easier to maintain. It stops being a burden and starts being a choice.
Imagine how your finances could change if you shifted from short-term gratification to long-term stability. What would your financial life look like if you focused more on cultivating health than collecting things? What if you delayed buying a home or a car and instead built stronger savings and investments? How much more peace, flexibility, and opportunity would that create?
Order changes outcomes.
Build first. Acquire later. That sequence still works.
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This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial or legal advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.