What is the theme of 'The Richer the Poorer' by Dorothy West?

From the story's penultimate paragraph:
Bess said, "To know how much there is to know is the beginning of learning to live. Don't count the years that are left us. At our time of life it's the days that count. You've too much catching up to do to waste a minute of a waking hour feeling sorry for yourself." This story contrasts with the moral of Aesop's Ant-Grasshopper story, "In good times prepare for when the bad times come."