Money Equals Happiness......

Oh, how many times have I heard the old adage, "Money cannot buy happiness?"

But it can....can't it?  I mean, wouldn't everyone be happier with more money?  I think I would be happier if I had a lot more money.  I mean, think about it....I would feel much more secure if I had a lot more moolah.  And, I would have the flexibility to do so much more without worrying about depleting my savings.  I could travel more, eat out more, give more money to charity, buy a home at the lake, get a power boat, and so on.  That surely would make me happy, right?

Hmmm.  Well, now that I have thought about it, maybe not.  The first thing that comes to mind is this:  looking back on my life, the unhappiest time frame of my existence was when I had the best job that paid the most money.  I had a big house, a flashy sports car, expensive vacations, and status.  All of that certainly did not make me happy.  I wonder why.......

Then, I get to thinking about all of these well known folks who are wealthy and who are obviously very UNhappy.  Now, that seems odd, doesn't it?

Jesus said we should "store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal".

In this context, Jesus was saying that all material possessions here on earth are temporary.  He is saying that we should be concentrating on our next life---the only one that is important.  The next life is not about material wealth, but is about spiritual wealth.  When we make material things important to ourselves here on earth, our concern for them interferes with our ability to focus on our spiritual growth for the next life.

Your thoughts, please.