Is going after a top-paying career or position in life the ‘love of money’? Many christian college students I've seen have either chosen or have shifted their majors to those that would produce more money.  Are they not being motivated by the love of money?  To me it seems they are no different than how people in the world act.

Sincerely,
Business Degree?

Dear Business Degree,

Making money is not a sin… nor is being wealthy.  It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil (Heb 13:5).  Solomon was an extremely wealthy man, but he was also righteous and wise (2 Chr 1:11-12).  God teaches that we should save and leave an inheritance for our children (Pr 13:22).  Saving, investing, and making money to provide for our families… those are all good things (1 Tim 5:8).

Wealth isn’t a sin unless it leads to covetousness and greed (Lk 12:15).  We must all work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Php 2:12), constantly examining ourselves (1 Cor 11:28) that we might make sure that our heart is pure and free from greed.

On one occasion shortly after I prayed to Jesus, in the darkness of my eyes (STILL closed), I could clearly see the word "Grace" light up like a white neon-light sign, and it was hovering over a body of water.  After this picture faded away, I opened my eyes and wondered: was it a vision?  What does this mean?  Can you answer this for me?

Sincerely,
Floating Grace

Dear Floating Grace,

No, it was not a vision.  Prophets have visions, and there are no more prophets since we have the perfect and complete Word of God (1 Cor 13:8-10).  The human mind is a complex and wondrous thing (Ps 139:14).  It is perfectly normal for our mind to make mental connections as we pray, study, sleep, etc.  Those mental images aren’t visions; they are just your own thoughts as your mind meditates upon what you have said, read, or heard.

We recommend you read “I Dreamed A Dream” for more information.

I'm thirty years old and have been through my share of trials over the past few years.  Just this year alone, I've spent a week in the hospital and was sick the rest of the month (February), my dad tried to commit suicide (March), my mama died on my 30^th birthday - suddenly (May), I was terminated from my job when I returned from her funeral (May), my black lab was poisoned (June)… but thankfully he lived, I've had a "chemical pregnancy" i.e. early miscarriage (October), and the stress caused me to fail two classes in school which disqualified me from the program I've worked so hard to get into.  I have to now wait another year.  We are struggling severely with our finances, and I'm scared that we are going to just slip further behind.  I've gained 40+ lbs. and feel like I'm eating because I deserve punishment for some reason.  My "issues" are causing a lot of grief, not only to me, but also to my family.

My question is: why, why, why does it seem that God allows so much pain to enter one person’s life but spares others?  This is affecting my faith, which I am trying desperately to hold onto.  I pray to God daily asking Him to guide me and mold me into what He wants from me.  I ask Him if for some reason I am doing something wrong to deserve so much pain, please help me correct it.  Please help me understand the need for all of this pain.

Sincerely,
Daily Sufferer

Dear Daily Sufferer,

We are so very sorry to hear of the difficulties you are facing.  If we were in your circumstances, we would feel exactly as you do.  The truth is, God does not desire anyone to suffer.  God made the world perfect, placed mankind in the Garden of Eden, and gave us a joyously blissful existence in that paradise.  Who caused the pain?  We did.  It is sin that has brought all of the death, disease, decay, pain, suffering, troubles, and heartaches into our world.  We all, in varying degrees, are reaping the benefits of a world with sin in it.

People suffer for various reasons:

1. Sometimes we suffer for our own sins (Gal 6:7-8)
2. Sometimes we suffer because of others’ choices (Like David's sufferings at the hands of Saul - 1 Sam 20:1)
3. Sometimes we suffer in order to glorify God through our suffering and recovery (Like the blind man - Jhn 9:2-3)

No matter what, God tells us that we can rejoice in tribulations (Rom 5:3) because eventually, if we suffer faithfully, our tribulations produce indestructible hope… a hope that cannot be taken away from us.  God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  We cannot tell you how or when, but someday you will look back on this time and say, "I am better for having been through it."  Until that day, trust in the Lord, and He will see you through.

Does the Bible condemn the legal use of narcotics?

Sincerely,
From Washington Or Colorado

Dear From Washington Or Colorado,

Plants (and drugs made from plants) are wonderful things if used as God intended – medicinally.  Anything that removes the clarity of someone’s mind or makes them drunk is sinful if used recreationally (1 Cor 5:11).  Christians are to be sober-minded, so that we can properly learn, grow, and serve the Lord (1 Thess 5:6).  The devil loves an addled brain, and the moment we stop thinking clearly, he is ready to pounce (1 Pet 5:8).  Furthermore, the body is a temple and should be treated as God intended – not destroyed with drugs (1 Cor 6:19).  Drugs destroy your body and mind.  You were bought with a price; glorify God in your body (1 Cor 6:20).

Is being a vegetarian a sin?

Sincerely,
Meat Man

Dear Meat Man,

Absolutely not!  Adam and Eve were vegetarians (Gen 1:30).  It wasn’t until Noah that God taught mankind to eat animals (Gen 9:1-4).  In the New Testament, Paul wrote that you could eat just vegetables (1 Cor 8:13).  Paul was dealing with a doctrinal issue of meat sacrificed to idols, but still he made it clear that there isn’t anything wrong with avoiding meat altogether.  Although unnecessary (and bacon-less), a vegetarian lifestyle is perfectly Biblical.