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Happiness comes not from what you have, but from what you want to have
Have you ever dreamed about what you would do if you suddenly received a fortune in money or things? Most of us have.
Remember when the hottest show on television was “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Contestants gave it their best because they thought that being a millionaire would make them happy.
People who can afford it the least spend big money on lottery tickets or at the casino, because they hope to get rich quick, and thus be blissfully happy–ever–after. I’ve seen bumper stickers that say, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins.” But no matter how many toys you have, when you die you face God and HE declares the winners and losers!
Our world says that the road to happiness is paved with lots of money and expensive stuff. One year, before Christmas, I received some junk mail from a major U.S. retailer. On the front of the envelope it said: “Say ‘Yes’ to more of everything!” Below it told you how: “You’ve been pre–approved to receive our credit card!”
Everyone wants to be happy, and most everybody thinks that having more of everything will do the trick. When I pastored in Peoria, Illinois, the local casino advertised on billboards: “Too much is not enough!” No wonder so many have trouble with a grateful spirit during Thanksgiving. They have too much but it’s not ever enough. God knows better: “Happiness is often found in having LESS!”
The secret of happiness is not having more stuff; it is found in eternal treasure, stored in heaven—beginning with our relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s the only way to find lifelong happiness!
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).
Treasures on Earth
Earthly treasures depreciate (they lose their value)
The nicest things don’t remain nice or new very long. Ross Perot, the Texas billionaire, once told Fortune magazine: “Just remember, if you get real lucky, if you make a lot of money, if you go out and buy a lot of stuff—it’s gonna break. You got the biggest, fanciest mansion in the world. It has air conditioning. It’s got a pool. Just think of all the pumps that are going to go out . . . things just don’t mean happiness!”
Besides things depreciating, we often lose interest in them when some newer, nicer item comes along.
Earthly treasures disappear
We lose things quite easily. I lost my wedding band twice. Both times its rediscovery was miraculous. And my wife’s diamond engagement ring—it’s gone forever.
People also steal our stuff: my Little League ball glove—it’s been gone 60 years! Seventy percent of lottery winners end up filing for bankruptcy.
King Solomon was reputed to be the wisest man in history. He wrote in Proverbs 23:4–5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
Earthly treasures are never large enough to satisfy us
In A Requiem for Love, Calvin Miller wrote about a beggar holding out his cup to a millionaire. The rich man refused to put anything in, even though he wore an expensive leather coat and a huge diamond ring. The beggar asks, “How many more dollars would it take to make you truly happy?”
“At least one more,” the rich man says, as he takes a dollar out of the beggar’s cup. “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).