"Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then build your house "
The Israelite perspective is one of farming as the most prominent way to make a living. This proverb clearly suggests that a person be more focused on providing a career or a stable source of income before one tries to embrace or fantasize about creature comforts. When we allow ourselves to think too much about how comfortable we want to be or what pleasure that we want to experience, then we will never have those comforts or pleasures except illicitly.
This is what is happening to the modern western culture. We are almost completely focused on what we want, not what contribution we can make. We want pleasure and are willing to fall as a stooge to any job, career, or scheme that can provide it. This is why so many of the poor of the inner city are willing to run and peddle drugs. It has been painted as the way to have money to pamper yourself.
There will be enough time to pamper yourself with the rewards of your labor. From a different angle, it is seek first His kingdom and all the other things He will add to you. See what contribution you are supposed to make to the world in a positive way. Consider what gifts, skills, talents, abilities, and passions God has given you and then go use them for God and the betterment of the whole of society.
We are too quick in this day and age to look to the profit and to stop working hard. We have not hitched our passion to a strong enough drive. We are only striving for ourselves and that is clearly not enough. We must see beyond ourselves...
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz