By Steven K. Haught, Th.D.
How often have you heard happiness and success measured in terms of assets or wealth?
Driven by that view, millions work long, exhausting hours to make more money. But does money and possessions really bring lasting happiness? What does the evidence suggest?
According to the Journal of Happiness Studies, once our basic needs are met, more income does little to improve our overall happiness or our sense of well-being. Money itself is not the issue. It’s “the striving for [money] that’s linked to unhappiness,” states an article in the magazine Monitor on Psychology. Those words mirror this advice given in the Bible almost two thousand years ago: “The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have . . . stabbed themselves all over with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10)
The Bible does not say that money is the root of all evil, but talks about “the love of money as the “root” cause of many injurious things.
This is a key difference because the whole passage—when you read it in context—is addressing the state of our hearts:
- What we desire,
- What we pursue,
- What we live for, and
- Whether our hearts are set on things above, where Christ is, or on material things of this earth.
In this passage at 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul tells us to desire God and all the things of God. He instructs us to pursue holy things with great passion, rather than setting our hearts and affections on wealth and riches.
This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t have money, earn money, save and invest money, enjoy exchanging money for what we need or desire, or otherwise become involved in financial things…
…But it does mean that we cannot be emotionally attached to money. An unbalance view of money and possessions creates many pains in our lives. What may those pains include?
Worry and Loss of Sleep because Wealth has to be protected. “Sweet is the sleep of the one serving, whether he eats little or much, but the plenty belonging to the rich one does not permit him to sleep.” —Ecclesiastes 5:12.
Disappointment when the promised happiness fails to arrive. In part, that letdown is because a craving for money cannot be satisfied. “A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) Also, a hunger for wealth may move a person to sacrifice important things that do promote happiness, such as precious time spent with family and friends or in spiritual pursuits.
Grief and frustration when money or investments depreciate or fail. “Do not wear yourself out to gain wealth. Stop and show understanding. When you cast your eyes on it, it is not there, for it will surely sprout wings like an eagle and fly off.” —Proverbs 23:4, 5.
“Loving money” simply means you set your desire on that money, leaving room in your heart for little else. It means your emotions are attached to money; that the affection of your heart is centered on money. It means the posture of your heart leans toward the accumulation of this resource that give you power, security, love, or anything that you do not trust God to satisfy with Himself.
Money is a tool. It is a method of exchange: something you give someone in exchange for something else. It is amoral—neither good nor evil. But, its undeniable importance in our daily lives means that our enemy, Satan the Devil, does all he can to rob people of a true, Biblical understanding of money.
What we need is a simple formula to counteract the influences that the pursuit of money can have in our lives. Consider theses two qualities that promote happiness and contentment.
Contentment. “We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.” (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) People who are content are not disposed to complain or grumble, and their attitude protects them against envy. And because their desires do not exceed their means, they spare themselves needless anxiety and stress.
Generosity. “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Generous people are happy because they enjoy making others happy, even if all they can give is a little of their time and energy. They often gain in abundance what no amount of money can buy —love, respect, and genuine friends, who give generously in return! —Luke 6:38.
Putting people before material things. “Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened bull where there is hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17) The point? Loving relationships with others are more valuable than material riches. And love, as we shall see later, is vital to happiness.
Caring for others in need, using one’s wealth and resources in advancing projects that promote Christ to an unbelieving world are the epitome of wise choices in one’s life.
Wisdom is vindicated by its results. Making wise choices for your life and the results will be a reflection of your priorities and in whom you place your trust and confidence… God’s Word the Bible. On that basis, contentment and generosity as well as putting people before things stand thoroughly vindicated!
The Takeaways of this message…
Whether you love or hate or are indifferent towards money, I encourage you to search the Scriptures, not with the intent to defend or justify your feelings about money, but to submit your understanding of money’s place in your life to God’s trustworthy authority.
Read what God has to say about money from Genesis through Revelation. Whatever form it takes, God wants to provide for you. But more than being comfortable in your resources, He wants you to have a pure heart. He wants you to pursue Him and not riches, and to steward His gifts well for His glory.
However God blesses you, worship the giver and enjoy his gifts, always remaining sensitive to how He calls you to give back and bless others. And when you submit your finances to His Lordship and obey everything He says to do regarding money, your heart will be freed to center on Jesus—where it belongs.
