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| Yes | 37% | 11 votes | Total: 30 votes | |
| No | 63% | 19 votes |
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Add to FavoritesI'll say yes, money does bring happiness - though not in a way people would think. Money cannot buy happiness, but there is a correlation between the two. Money brings two things, ultimately: options and a sense of security. Although happiness can be found in many ways, having a options and a sense of security will lead people to a sustainable feeling of happiness (the top of the Maslow ladder of needs).
Although money is necessary, I will touch on an antecedent of money fulfilling options and security. That is self esteem. A part of self esteem is self-efficacy (the confidence of one to make decisions for themselves). Self-efficacy is necessary so that people who attain new money will use the options that that money brings wisely and confidently. Another is self acceptance. The new money that is acquired will then be used in either a self-destructive or a self-promoting way. Lottery winners will often lose the money they won because they did little to actually earn that money and because they have no concept of what they should be doing with the money they have once they own it. Because few actually win, nobody anticipates or plans on how they will spend their money should they win it.
Money is a necessity for a certain kind of happiness. People will say "look to the poor person who's happy all the time". They will provide a counterargument by not understanding that my argument is an inductive one, not deductive and that it's a different kind of happiness that I describe that what a poor person could have. Security is something that the poor often do not have. If a low-wage worker lives check to check and does not have a rainy day fund, they won't necessarily be "unhappy", but they will worry; much more than someone who does have a sufficient safety net. This safety net can mean losing their job, a sickness, or an accident.
Once someone acquires money (or more of it) their options open up. A lifestyle in an urban chic apartment become possible, or a bigger home, or a new car, or more Christmas presents, or any number of possibilities. Poorer people have less options and they have to put more thought into making economic decisions which affect them. Because they have to think about money on a more frequent basis, worry creeps in. People in middle and upper classes don't have this anxiety (to the same extent) and they worry less, thus leading to a more carefree feeling. Any number of things, activities, and people can help a person attain a more fruitful lifestyle, and the options of owning things, having incredible experiences, and meeting new people is something that is definitely aided by having money.
Learn more about this author, A.T. Meininger.
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No
Does Money Bring Happiness?
Does money bring happiness? Hum...that's an interesting question. First, let's define happiness. Webster's dictionary states that happiness is defined as a state of well-being or contentment. So, if money does bring happiness then the rich person or those with lots of money never have a sad day in their life, right? I mean, if something bad happened one day to the person who has the most money then somehow they could use the money to bring them happiness in that situation, right? Yes, I know-that sounds crazy, doesn't it? Okay, let's get a little more serious here. I suppose I could use money to buy me a beautiful ranch home in the country and have a euphoria or happiness state for a certain amount of time. But what happens when the happy-happy state wears off and my dog dies and my cat gets run over by the train passing through?
Money is truly overrated and quite frankly so is happiness. Happiness is a fleeting thing. Happiness is not eternal nor is it lasting. Think about it-we're happy when we get a promotion; we're happy when we get brownie points; we're happy when we're appreciated and told so; we're happy when life is problem-free and our days are not interrupted with negative events. So, are we happy when we get demoted; lose a spouse; lose a pet; or just have a really terrible day? Do we need money to buy or bring that happiness back?
I suppose-in a sense-money can bring happiness. You see, money AND happiness are both fleeting; so I guess you could say that they DO go hand in hand. Since happiness is a state of mind that depends on our circumstances sometimes money can change our state of mind from sad to glad or from bored to excited and so on and so forth.
Now JOY is a completely different state. JOY is not fleeting but eternal and it can't be bought; it stays within the human spirit because it's not something that we FEEL based on our circumstances OR the amount of money that we possess. Joy is something that can only be received as a child of the KING. It's not for sale; therefore it can't be bought. Another great thing about joy is that it can't be stolen either. Oh, another thing is that no matter what our circumstances are-whether our cat died; our car no longer carries us to places we need to be; or if a family member has died; we can still have joy deep down within our soul to sustain us through all these rough valleys that will come to pass in the life of a child of God. You see, joy doesn't depend on money, circumstances, or what's going on in our country but joy is something that the Lord puts in the heart of His children.
So, give me joy that will last through the good times and through the bad times. I want something solid. I want something lasting. I want something TRUE and something REAL. This comes only through the saving grace and blood of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about this author, Sheila.D.
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