MY ANSWER

Why are some people so obsessed with money? I have an uncle who is this way, and it seems like he's never satisfied.
Billy Graham writes, "Money is like an addictive drug for some people; the more they get, the more they need. And yet—like your uncle—they are seldom happy."

MY ANSWER

Our parents are getting older, and my brothers and sisters are arguing about who should get what from the estate. How should I react as a Christian?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know if your parents have made a will, but if not, you should encourage them to take that step. Not only will it help avoid legal difficulties later on, but it could also make clear your parents' true wishes."

MY ANSWER

I know I've hurt a lot of people, but what good would it do to ask them to forgive me? I know they won't do it, and to be honest, I can't blame them.
Billy Graham writes, "When we have hurt someone, we need to admit it to them and ask for their forgiveness. Whether they actually forgive us is up to them, but we must take the first step."

MY ANSWER

My spouse recently died and left tens of thousands of dollars in debt because of gambling. How could he do this to us?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm sure he cared about you; he may even have justified his gambling habit by telling himself he was going to strike it rich someday, and when he did, his family would be free from financial worries. But, of course, it didn't work out that way ..."

MY ANSWER

We always spend too much this time of year. Does the Bible say anything about having too much debt?
Billy Graham writes, "Yes, the Bible does caution us against taking on too much debt (particularly when we don't have the resources to repay it). One reason is because indebtedness easily overwhelms us and becomes our master ..."

MY ANSWER

Is it true that the Bible says a rich man can't go to heaven?
No, the Bible doesn't say that someone who is rich can never go to heaven. In fact, some of the Bible's most faithful men and women were also wealthy (or at least prosperous)—people like Abraham and Job in the Old Testament, or Joanna and Lydia in the New Testament.

MY ANSWER

Is it true that Jesus said we will always have poverty in the world?
Billy Graham writes, "You're probably thinking of Jesus' words in John 12:8: 'You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.' ... But Jesus wasn't saying we shouldn't fight poverty or help those in need."

MY ANSWER

It's been a hard year financially for our family, and I don't see how we can afford to pledge anything towards our church's annual budget fund. Would this be wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "God knows what you can and cannot give; He also knows how much you must have to meet your family's needs during the coming year."

MY ANSWER

We really felt that God led us to open our home to a needy young woman. But she stole from us and then vanished. Did we misunderstand God?
Billy Graham writes, "What she did was wrong—but she will always remember your kindness, and someday God may use it to turn her to Christ."

MY ANSWER

I know I ought to be taking my children to church, but I'm a single mother on a limited income, and I'm afraid people will just look down on us because we can't afford fancy clothes.
Billy Graham writes, "Which should be more important to you: worrying what others might think about you—or helping your children learn to follow Jesus?"

MY ANSWER

I work during the day and my husband works the night shift, so we almost never have any real time together. We need the money, but this is really causing problems in our marriage. What can we do?
Billy Graham writes, "This is why the most important thing I can urge you to do is to seek God's will as you seek to solve this problem."

MY ANSWER

What do you think it takes to become a successful person? I'd like to quit my job and start my own business, but I want to make sure I'll succeed.
Billy Graham writes, "If you're like most people, you probably think of success in terms of money, or maybe power or public approval."

MY ANSWER

I've been thinking about leaving my estranged family out of my will and giving everything to charity. Would that be wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "Over the years, I've come to believe that we ought to seek God's will about the way our money will be used after our deaths, just as much as we do while we're living."

MY ANSWER

I've heard that the Bible says money is evil, but does this mean it's wrong to have a good job and a nice home?
Billy Graham writes, "The Bible doesn't say that money is evil but it does say that money becomes evil when we love it and let it dominate our lives. The Bible says, 'For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil' (1 Timothy 6:10)."

MY ANSWER

I'm a widow who wants to get married to a widower, but he just wants me to move in with him because he says he'll lose some tax benefits if we get married. What would you advise?
Billy Graham writes, "Which is better in God's eyes: to do what is right (and lose a few dollars), or to do what is wrong (and save a few dollars)? I think you know the answer."

MY ANSWER

I'm put off by my church's high-pressure fund-raising techniques. Should I tell the pastor about my concerns?
Billy Graham writes, "If what you've heard about their approach to fund raising makes you uncomfortable, then you certainly should express your concern to your pastor or your church's governing board."

MY ANSWER

I wonder why God's never given me very much financially. Do you have any explanation for this?
Billy Graham writes, "I honestly don't have an answer to that question—not fully. But what I do know is that possessions and wealth can become a barrier between us and God—and nothing could be more serious."

MY ANSWER

What is your definition of a greedy person?
Billy Graham writes, "A greedy person is someone whose primary goal in life is to get more and more of something they want, and their whole focus is on getting it."

MY ANSWER

I know the Bible says we shouldn't love money, but I grew up in a poor family, so I've always worked hard.
Billy Graham writes, "No, it isn't necessarily wrong for you to work hard and be successful—not as long as you don't let money corrupt you or become the most important thing in your life."

MY ANSWER

My wife and I like having a nice car or a decent home. Does this mean we're putting things ahead of God?
Billy Graham writes, "No, not necessarily—although you should always be on guard against this, because it can happen almost without realizing it."