by Carlos Santiolga

Created on: October 14, 2009

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.

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