THREE WAYS TO WASTE AN INHERITANCE
Is R. Yochanan merely giving financial advice?
Ritva: The Gemara is actually discussing a person who inherited money received as interest. He should use it for these, in order to dispose of it. Although it is certainly better to return it to the lenders, the Gemara is teaching Derech Eretz, that one should not generally use his money in this way, or he will lose it.
Iyun Yaakov: Since the person did not toil to earn it, as he received it as an inheritance, he is less likely to be careful with it and must be warned against wasting it.
Chayei Adam (Ben Amram): This can be understood allegorically. The soul that originally came to this world is referred to as 'Av'. When the soul needs to be reincarnated in order to rectify previous wrongdoings, it is referred to as 'Ben'. When an 'Av' bequeathed 'Maos', to be read as 'Meuvos' - wrongdoings, to his 'Ben'; and 'he wishes to lose them' - meaning that if a person wishes to rectify wrongdoings from a previous incarnation, he should do the following:
Wear linen garments - this alludes to remembering the day of death, when the person will be dressed in linen shrouds.
Use glasswear - he should study Torah, which the Pasuk referred to as glass (Iyov 28:17), "Neither gold nor glass can equal it, nor is a pure golden vessel its exchange". The Gemara Chagigah 15a expounds from this Pasuk that Torah is hard to acquire, like fine gold vessels, and easy to lose like glasswear. Also, just as glass is transparent, so the person must be 'Tocho K'baro' - his insides should be as his outside - he is truthful and sincere.
He should hire workers - Chazal describe a person's own body as his workers (Pirkei Avos 2:15). He should harnass his body for the service of Hash-m "but not sit with them" - meaning not to rest, but rather to act eagerly to fulfill his purpose.
Iyun Yaakov: The Gemara is referring to a person who saw in a dream that he will lose his money. By following these three ways, he will minimize the damage of that prediction as he will at least have some benefit from the money before he loses it.