Answers
By Billy Graham • July 13, 2017 • Topics: Aging, Money
Q:
I'm only a few years away from retirement, and suddenly we've realized that we have almost no savings. I guess we've spent it all on things like traveling and having a good time. I wish we'd been more careful. I know this isn't a spiritual question, but maybe you can encourage people to plan more carefully.
A:
Thank you for your letter—and I too hope it will encourage people to be more careful with their finances and give more thought to their future. The Bible commends the thrifty wife who “watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27).
You are wrong, however, when you suggest this isn’t a spiritual question—because it is! God is concerned about every detail of our lives, and the Bible has much to say about how we use our money. For example, if we use our money just to enjoy life and satisfy our own desires, this indicates we aren’t really concerned about others and their needs. Most of all, it indicates that we have never stopped to ask God how He wants us to live. Jesus warned, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
This is why I urge you to take the most important step anyone can ever take about their future—and that is to turn to Christ and commit your lives to Him. Yes, ahead of you is retirement (if God gives you those years). But some day this life will be over, and the time to prepare for that day is now. By a simple prayer of faith give your lives to Christ today.
Then ask God you to help you prepare in practical ways for the future. God loves you, and He knows what is best.
