Question & Answer with Mike

Below are answers to money questions Mike gave in The Banner magazine.

We currently live in an older home near our church but recently found a
really great house in the country. But it costs more than we planned to
spend. If my wife can find a part-time job, we think we can swing it
financially. What do you think?

Do I really need an estate plan? Aren’t they just for people with a lot of
money?

What advice can you give to parents who want to train their kids to handle
money God’s way?

This economy is choking the life out of us. Can you share any insights
about how we can approach our finances from a spiritual perspective?

My income just went down. Is it OK if I stop tithing until things get back on
track?

I heard [national Christian financial counselor] Dave Ramsey say, “If you
live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” Is “living like no
one else” really an appropriate goal for Christians?

Money is a constant source of tension in our marriage. What should we do?

I feel like we don’t have a very good handle on our money, and I know the
answer is that we’re supposed to “budget,” but we just don’t seem to have
time. What do we do?

We work hard and make an average income, but have very little to show for
it. What can we do differently?