SIMPLY HAPPY

Luke 12:15 “Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family said it very well. He wrote, “Though I can make no claim to wealth, I have tasted most of the things Americans hunger for; new cars, an attractive home, and gadgets and devices which promise to set us free. Looking at those materialistic possessions from the other side of the cash register, I can tell you that they don’t deliver the satisfaction they advertise. On the contrary, I have found great wisdom in the adage, ‘That which you own will eventually own you.’ How true that is. Having surrendered my hard earned dollars for a new object only obligates me to maintain and protect it; instead of its contributing to my pleasure, I must spend my precious Saturdays oiling it, mowing it, painting it, repairing it, cleaning it, or calling the Salvation Army to haul it off. The time I might have invested in worthwhile family activities is spent in slavery to a depreciating piece of junk. This would be funny if it weren’t so true.”

Ask most people today if money buys happiness and they’ll say no. But ask those same people if a little more money will make us a little happier-- and most will agree. The Roper Organization asked Americans who make $15,000-$30,000 how much they needed to fulfill all their dreams. The largest group said they’d need $50,000-$60,000. Yet when that same question was put to people earning over $50,000, the largest group in that segment said they’d need at least $125,000 a year, if not more.

Over the past fifteen years researchers have studied the relationship between money and happiness. They have concluded that money can buy pleasure, but not happiness. What’s the difference? Pleasure is temporary release. Ability to take a Florida vacation, buy a better car, a membership at the country club. We can buy temporary feel goods, and we can often do it for years at a time. But, happiness comes from your experiences in which you enjoy investing your mental and emotional energies.

There is no doubt that God intends for us to live an abundant life. Christ said so in John 10:10. He grants us so many opportunities to find the fulfillment that will bring happiness. Those opportunities may not consist of making lots of money or having numerous possessions. Happiness comes from investing in your passions and investing in people

If every job in the world paid the exact same– what would you do? Would you keep doing what you’re doing now? Your answer is very telling. We all may not have our dream job. We may not all be living in our ideal situation. Even so, happiness is attainable. Be encouraged to invest some of yourself in the things that motivate you. Follow the calling that God has placed on your life. It may not require a change in vocation – simply a change in attitude and approach.

Truly, our jobs do not define us. Our financial portfolio is not our definition. Life consists of so much more. Be challenged today to live big by pursuing the things that God has placed in your heart. Do it even if circumstances don’t immediately change. Let your heart be touched by your new outlook on life. You’ll find happiness in the place that you never thought to look.