Problems Money Can Solve Aren't The Biggest Ones

My dad used to say to me "The problems that money can solve are not the biggest ones".  It is kind of difficult to imagine that my dad said this, because even though I cannot say he likes money, he is proud of making it.  

My dad, however, is very bad at keeping money.  He doesn't have the idea of saving or investing them -- he thinks it's all risky to do.  All his money are in a checking account, without interest, all these years.  He had many "bright" side business ideas, but every single one of them failed.  A few years ago, he retired in the his mid-seventies, and finally bought a condo with pressure from my mom (the first property he ever bought).  He owes the bank nothing, but only have whatever cash he has in his checking account to live on.  As one can imagine, the cash is running low quickly.

I would like to help them out, but I am not in the million dollar business.  I know I make OK salary to live and save for my retirement, and prepare for life events such as the wedding etc, but not enough to support my parents in a significant way.   I feel sad about the situation.  I'd like making more and more money but I can't do much more than what I am now.  If problems money can solve aren't the biggest ones, why are they so prominent in people's lives and affect people so much, Dad?