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.
Call these the music, poetry, fact and fiction of a dreamer....Call this LYRICS of LOVE and LORE.
This is a wonderful post and so true. Time spent on acquiring earthly possessions, keeping possessions, maintaining possessions ... well, you get the picture, this is time not spent with God and storing up the wrong kind of treasures.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for relaxing and enjoying this life while we have it - and a little more money would certainly facilitate that for a lot of folks. I'm not talking about great wealth - that comes with too many headaches and folks that hover with bad intentions. But I wish everyone could have enough money to live COMFORTABLY and be able to relax and enjoy life here too.
ReplyDeleteI think about the Native Americans who had no monetary system at all and they had every need met, lived very full lives, didn't harm the environment, well, until Europeans arrived and the genocide started. Money is the root of all evil. It starts wars, causes murder, is controlled by 2% of the worlds populations, I could go on. The only thing of value should be life.
ReplyDeletefirst, love the new look! second, great post. i'm from the camp that believes money is the root of all evil and agree with jane. i believe money/credit/debt enslaves us. i had a very unhealthy relationship with money and like you, was at my most miserable when i had a lot of it. now that my life is not centered around paper or numbers on a computer screen, i feel more free. i have faith that i will be taken care of as long as i'm working on my personal growth, spirituality and serving others.
ReplyDeleteActually, it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil...money in and of itself is neutral. But I agree, the love of money is responsible for most sins, if you think about it. I have learned in whatever state I'm in to be content...God knows we need money to meet our needs, but He is even greater than money...He can meet our needs without us having a dime to our name! He's done it for me time and time again! So many times I prayed for the money to meet a need, and God met the need without money. So now I just pray for God's provision, and He can bring it about however He wants.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Texwis---I know that God wants us to enjoy our lives, but when our love of wealth interferes with our love of Him, we have a problem. I believe that one can be the richest person on earth, and if that wealth does not become an emotional priority, that is fine!
ReplyDeleteJane---Amen. Well said.
ReplyDeleteKelli---sounds like you have your priorities right! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteKimberly---So true. Of course, that takes faith, doesn't it? Heh heh---a tricky little thingy. I guess we have all had experiences where we "magically" received what we needed by His grace. Cindy tells a story of her experience years ago that can be described as "miraculous". I guess most folks can.
ReplyDeleteIn Germany we say: Money does not make you happy, but it helps.
ReplyDeleteI like your new blogoutfit.
Greetings Sabine
Money can't buy happiness, it can't buy the love of your children and grandchildren, if married it can't buy the closeness( unless one is a gold digger) also it can't buy you health, sure you can go to the best doctors but if you have something terminal money can't buy a cure.Amd it can't buy true friendships, friends who will stick by you through thick and thin.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day
Yvonne,
Sabine---Ha! Yes, it can help.
ReplyDeleteYvonne---I agree with you---it cannot buy anything truly important.
You are so nice to always leave such nice comments on my blog. I love this post. Oh, how I'm blessed! I can only speak for myself... I like being comfortable but know that I am much more comfortable than I need to be. Having a lot of money causes a lot of grief!
ReplyDeleteClint,
ReplyDeleteI have found we spend most of our life, trying to acquire earthly possession, and the rest of our life trying to hold onto them. It is wearisome, and without reward.
Jesus said that life is more than the meat, and clothing. I found this to be so true. Riches are relative, and therefore a state of mind. I will write one day on my blog how I found this out in Kindergarten. A lesson I never forgot. As for me I never felt more free in my life, when I lost everything and had to walk away and leave it behind.
Great post Clint! It's so true. When we have everything in the world we get a false sense of security instead of faith in God. There's nothing like financial challenges to test our faith :) And when I'm running low I find I spend more time on quality things, like Bible study, than looking at what to buy next. I agree. Joy is way better than pride and temporary happiness.
ReplyDeleteBerte---Yes, I am blessed too. Money is great, but who can put it in perspective? Blessings, my friend.
ReplyDeleteKaren---yes, it always works out for the best when He is in charge (Romans 8:28). You are an inspiration to many with your blog. Cindy says hello.
ReplyDeleteWhat is money without love, but only by love you can't live.
ReplyDeleteI love you new style
Greetings
Petra
Yes, Jesus stressed that in the gospel chapters, our worldly wealth is only temporary.. while we are here on earth, God supplies our needs...
ReplyDeleteVery well said Clint!
ReplyDeleteWhen we have more money the less we are focused on Jesus and the more we are focused on our wealth and our things.
God bless you,
Ken
Dear Clint,
ReplyDeleteNice to be here. I am here via Llyod's blog "Solid Rock...."
Yes I fully agree with you, yes Money brings you happiness, but that only momentary, and it will soon go away like a bubble. I like your way of presentation. Let's follow Jesus' words the final one in this matter.
Keep writing.
If find some time pl do visit my blog and air your views.
With kind regards.
and Best Wishes.
Yours in Him
Philip