Money is a Curious Thing

“Having plenty of money will make me happy!” I’m sorry to burst the bubble but this is simply erroneous thinking.

To be clear, money does have its benefits. Money offers us choice and a level of freedom to make those choices. Also, having no money or being homeless is a terrible existence for any person; however, I’m not focusing on this extreme. Instead, consider the biblical principle of learning to be content with whatever you do have (Philippians 4:11). The truth is being rich does not solve our problems and it certainly does not miraculously make us happy…although most people admit they believe it will make them happy, or at least they’d love to test the theory. The truth is, if you aren’t content today, then no amount of money will help you learn contentment.

The philosophy of the world has led us to believe that money, and a lot of it, is necessary for a good life. We like to daydream about what life would be like if money were not an issue. The reality, however, is different. The testimonies from the rich about their personal unhappiness are viral…why? Because money doesn’t fix what is broken in us. The truth is, once you start earning a lot of money you are presented with a new set of problems and many more temptations…one of which is worrying about losing all your money.

Even people who do not subscribe to the biblical worldview testify to the utter failure of money to produce happiness for them. Consider Sharon Osbourne, popular TV personality and wife to Ozzy Osbourne (lead singer of the famous rock band, Black Sabbath).

Sharon writes, in her autobiography Unbreakable:

“From the day I married Ozzy, I’d always had this thing in my mind that, if I made the perfect home, if there were flowers, if there was fruit, if I got the bloody right curtains, if it smelt lovely and looked gorgeous, then it would make everything right in our world.”

She goes on to say,”I realized it wasn't Ozzy that was blind, it was me. I have always placed so much emphasis on the ambiance of a place; I would want every house to make us happy. And if it didn’t then it would be, Oh God, it’s the wrong layout, the wrong location, it’s too small, it’s too big…I must sell it and then everything will be perfect and we’ll be happy and so will the kids. But recently, after all those years of trying, of fretting about that painting ruining the room or those cushions not being plumped properly. I’ve realized that it means [expletive]. You can’t manufacture happiness. The happiest times were when we were broke and we had nothing.”

She is right. Having money and loving money and fine things doesn't buy happiness in the slightest.

The Pharisees were lovers of money and Jesus had a lot to say about money to them. He said it was overrated and challenging to the hearts of men (Matt 25:14-30; Lk 16:19-31). We can do a lot of good with money. We can help a lot of people with money. We can help spread the gospel far and wide with money. So, we should give “hilariously” to protect our hearts from greed and the love of money. And, we should know money doesn’t buy happy!