The meaning of the title does not mean that when we go to the restaurant, we shall pay first before eating.
The real sense is that we must have a good budget to run our daily life. We must live in surplus, not in debt.
In Europe, there is a slang: “Pay bills first, then you eat.” which means you shall not live in liability.
To our Chinese, most of us keep a principle to spend less than our income. We cannot live a luxurious life when we are in debt.
But, nowadays most people, especially the younger ones, like to use money beforehand by signing credit card which will cause them to have debit in the future. In such case, you cannot live a happy life.
Unless you are in business, you can borrow money from bank. This is a normal practice by which you have assets to support. But, for your personal expense, you must hold yourself strictly not to spend money by borrowing, otherwise you will have serious consequence afterwards.
If you do not owe money to others, you will then slowly accumulate your money. Finally, one day you will be a rich man toward the goal of a millionaire.