What does Proverbs 21:20 mean?

This commends the man who maintains provisions: who takes care not to run out of important supplies. Good stewardship involves guarding resources and using them wisely. A wise manager of what God has given is not stingy or greedy, but charitable. Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) contrasts this stewardship with foolish wastefulness. The foolish man does not see his possessions as God's investment in need of careful handling. Rather, he consumes like a wild animal gulping down prey. The fool focuses on immediate pleasure (Proverbs 21:17) and wastes resources he will need in the future.

A vivid example of this fate is seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). That man foolishly took his share of the inheritance and wasted it through pleasure-seeking. When all his resources were gone, he took a lowly job feeding pigs. He was starving to the point of wishing he could eat the pig's food. That experience demonstrates the warning given in this passage.