“Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die” is a saying that has been printed on several images, usually credited to Max Asnas.
 
The Stage Delicatessen, on 834 Seventh Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets in Manhattan, was opened by Russian immigrant Max Asnas (1898-1968) in 1937. The deli became a favorite with the Broadway crowd, especially by comedians and New York (NY) Post nightlife reporter Earl Wilson (1907-1987). Asnas was dubbed the “Corned Beef Confucius” by comedian Fred Allen (1894-1956), and he was also called the “Pastrami Plato,” the “Pastrami Pundit” and the “Salami Sage.”
 
“Max Asnas explained the ten million sandwich-eating New Yorkers when he said, ‘Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die’” was printed in the book And then we moved to Rossenarra: Or, The art of emigrating (1973) by Richard Condon. The saying probably comes from his album, Max Asnas—The Corned-Beef Confucius (1960?).
   
             
Wikipedia: Stage Deli
The Stage Deli, located on Seventh Avenue just two blocks from Carnegie Hall, was a well-known New York City delicatessen, patronized by numerous celebrities. It was first opened in 1937 by Russian immigrant Max Asnas. The deli was known for Broadway-themed dishes including the “Mamma Mia!” sandwich. It had other menu items named for the celebrities who have dined there, including Sarah Ferguson, Adam Sandler, Dolly Parton, Martin Short, and Ron Blomberg.

In addition to serving regular meals, Stage Deli held special events including the Matzoh Bowl to determine the best matzoh ball soup.
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The Stage Deli closed on November 29, 2012. The owners cited a downturn in business, coupled with rising rent as the reasons for the closing. The Stage Deli previously found in the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada closed its doors in June 2008.
   
Google Books
And then we moved to Rossenarra:
Or, The art of emigrating
By Richard Condon
New York, NY: Dial Press
1973
Pg. 120:
Max Asnas explained the ten million sandwich-eating New Yorkers when he said, “Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die.”
     
Los Angeles (CA) Times, “Year’s Supply of Dates” by Jack Smith, pt. 9, pg. 1, col. 1:
No rotund nugget of advice from a savings and loan calendar could be more succinct and indisputable than this one: “Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die.”—Max Asnas.
 
Google Books
Where the Money Is:
How to Spot Key Trends to Make Investment Profits
By Dr. Bob Froehlich
New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons
2001
Pg. 1:
Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die.
Max Asnas
Russian-American Restaurateur
 
Twitter
Mike L
@SafeSmokerShop
“Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die.” - Max Asnas
7:38 PM - 18 Apr 2009
   
Google Books
Funniest Thing You Never Said 2
By Rosemarie Jarski
London, UK: Ebury Press
2010
Pg. 50:
Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die.
Max Asnas
 
Google Books
The 2,548 Wittiest Things Anybody Ever Said
By Robert Byrne
New York, NY: Touchstone
2012
Pg. ?:
1,994
Money is something you have to make in case you don’t die.
—Max Asnas (1898-1968)
 
Twitter
ReverseLendingExpert
@RevLendExpert
Money is something you got to make in case you don’t die. - Max Asnas
http://reverselendingexperts.com/new-reverse-mortgage-too-much-month-end-money/ …
4:01 PM - 28 Feb 2019