Are Money and Happiness Connected?

Many people think that if they had more money they'd be happy. Are money and happiness connected, or is there another lasting source of happiness?  #Biblestudy #Ecclesiastes #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

Can money buy happiness?  Your answer to this question will determine your priorities and how you spend your time and your life.

May we never forget that the rich and poor hurt, bleed, worry, cry, love and laugh alike.

If you are human – you struggle.  Though the struggles look different – the inner desire for contentment, real quality relationships, and a good nights rest are the same for everyone.

Join me on this video as we discuss 3 Ways That Loving Money and Stuff Leads to Misery:

{if you are reading this in an email or feed – click here to view the video}

When my children were young they begged for Happy Meals.  They loved the toy inside.  But the “happy meal” only made them “happy” for about 30 minutes.

As adults, our “happy meals” just grow bigger and more expensive.

We continue to need a nice dinner out, new clothing, new cars and new houses.  We are content for a few weeks and then we long for something more – something new and exciting.

So we buy more and more stuff –and our houses and closets and garages and basements and extra storage units are overflowing.

The more we have – the less we can use what we have.

The more we have – Ecclesiastes 5 says, the more we have to look at with our eyes.

When we have accumulated too much, we simply cannot use and enjoy every possession we have.  And the more possessions we own – the more the possessions own us as they require upkeep, organization and our time.

Money can buy many things but it can’t buy freedom from pain, contentment, peace, joy or true love.

A life lived apart from God brings no lasting joy or satisfaction. It is meaningless.  Without God in our lives – we are spiritually bankrupt.

Are money and happiness connected?

Yes.

If you long for more money, you will be less happy.

If you long for happiness, you will only find it in the Lord Jesus.  It is better to be content and satisfied with what you presently have, than to dream about and long for things you do not have.

Live in the present.

Enjoy the good gifts God has given you today.

18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

~Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Do not live for money – live for Jesus.

This is your purpose and God’s best plan for you.

Remember to store up your treasures in heaven.

Eternity is a long time.

Walk with the King,

Courtney

**Chime In**

Do you struggle with longing for more money and more stuff?

How has this affected your life and your walk with God?

What else did you learn during your study in Ecclesiastes this week?

 

20 Comments

  1. This has been a gut check week during study! We are preparing to relocate across the country for vicarage as part of my husband’s schooling. I can not even count the number of hours I have spent worry about money and such once we make our move. The devil knows this is an area where he can begin to weave serious doubt and discontent in my heart. I so needed the reminder that all the “stuff” is not the important part, that being with my husband and son while growing in our faith and ministry is!!

  2. I do struggle with wanting more money and stuff sometimes. I am a single mom of two girls and I barely can pay my bills. I’m in government housing, on food stamps and I have partial Medicaid. I have a truck that is falling apart and I worry if something happens to my truck or if the girls need clothes or school stuff which is coming up. Next month my daughter needs sealants in her teeth and Medicaid doesn’t pay for that anymore and it will cost me a minimum of $77. I have been going to school on and off for the last six years trying to get my nursing degree but my health has interrupted all that. I’m in debt over $21,000 for medical and student loans so far. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I do have a full time job but it doesn’t have any benefits and I can’t even afford a prepaid cellphone anymore. Luckily I was able to a free phone with free minutes because I am in food stamps. I have been doing my best and praying to God why all this is happening when I have given my all. I am praying for him to guide me where he wants me but I am suffering physically, mentally and emotionally and starting to suffer spiritually. The stuff I’ve bought myself this past year I feel guilty now. I’m trying to sell off those things to have the extra money for what ifs later. ?

    1. Hi Virginia,
      I’m here to remind you that God is more than enough. He’s truly all we need and in Him is everything we really long for wrapped in grace and mercy.
      I am not much different you, a single mom with two girls who were abandoned by a husband and father. Our lives used to be a lot different from what it is now. I’ve realized although it’s natural to get concerned it’s more peaceful to pray and leave it there. Hasn’t He proven over and over again He’s with us always? I think the key for us is turn our struggles over to Him because, honestly we only make a mess and fail and satan ends up throwing that in our face.
      So I encourage you to take one day at a time and look for Him in the small blessings first and you’ll be certainly wowed by the big picture of Him commanding every detail of your life.
      We love you Virginia.
      Lisa. M

    2. Hi Virginia,

      I am a dental hygienist & I’m not sure where you live but the state of TN provides free dental sealants through the school based dental program. Contact your local health Dept & ask for the dental clinic. Most states have a similar program. I live in TN. I put on free preventative sealants every day on children & they really do work !!

    3. Virginia,

      I, too, am a single mother of two. However, I am fortunate in that I have a good education and a good job, and I do get child support from my ex. Even so, I make a lot less money than he does, and our lifestyle is far from what it would be if we were still married. I have been single for 10 years, so I understand all the stress that comes from that, which is not just financial. It’s also the stress of being the one your children depend on all the time and taking care of all the daily things that must be done.

      I have felt the frustration and–yes–anger that God let this happen to me. I have tired of hearing people telling me that He is enough. Is Jesus doing my laundry? Making dinner? Helping with homework? Sometimes, I just want practical help, not spiritual platitudes. However, I agree with Lisa (above) that He is always with us and, in my case anyway, when I let go of the reins and stop trying to do everything my own way, life goes more smoothly. It’s important to be responsible with your money, but you can’t make it increase on your own, and worrying will not help.

      One thing that I’ve been doing for the last several months is increasing my giving to my church. This has been really hard but I want to get up to 10%. That might not be possible for you right now, and that’s ok! Start with less, but if you can, make it a priority. It’s the one place in the Bible where God tells us to test him, and He will bless us with more than we have given. I wouldn’t (didn’t) believe this until I experienced it myself. I haven’t won the lottery, but while bad things have happened (car died), good things have also (car ins. co. agreed to more $ for it, garage found me an affordable car) that balance out, or even allow me to get ahead. I can’t explain it and I know it’s VERY scary (!!) but it’s worked.

      If Kim’s excellent suggestion isn’t available to you, you could also look into going to a dental school if there’s one in your area. They are generally far less expensive b/c you have students (supervised) working on you.

      I’m praying for financial and spiritual peace, and for hope for you and your girls.

      Love,
      Nicola

    4. Something else (because that wasn’t long enough, ha!):
      Don’t beat yourself up for wanting more money or for buying things that maybe you didn’t need in that past. The first is normal and the second is done and can’t be changed. You are not a bad person because you want more money, esp in your situation. I think these verses apply more to people who have the basics (shelter, food and clothing), but want more, better and/or nicer things. Most of us do want that, at least sometimes, but that’s not the same as wanting to take care of your daughter’s teeth. And yes, they do work, as Kim says. It’ll save money in the long run.

  3. I’m not a typical woman. I don’t care for fancy dinners, I hate shopping (even for groceries), and if I can’t buy it at Wal-Mart or tracker supply I don’t need it (clothes included). I would rather spend hours sewing or cooking for my family then anything else. I’m a home body. While most people love to vacation on the beach I would rather be in the woods. I’m not a “tree hugger” I just love nature it’s my cburch. I use to worry about not having enough money for the stuff that society says I need. I don’t remember now when or how or what circumstance made me decide that I don’t need the stuff society says. All I need is my Lord and Savior, my husband and our kids. Some how somewhere something clicked and I was finally content. All I know was it took 35 years to find it. Did it have to take that long? No could i have found it earlier? Yes. How do you find it? You have to let go and let God. Easier said than done, I know. But trust me when you figure out how to do it, a big weight is lifted off your shoulders. Finding it is different for everyone, but finding it is so worth it. It isn’t easy. When I would worry about not have enough I would give it to God, but not fully. Meaning while I would say God it is in your hands I would still worry or try to fix the situation myself. I had to fully give it to God and when I was tempted to take ot back I constantly had to say no God’s got this. Let go and let God. I don’t have a lot of patience and God’s timing doesn’t coincide with mind (His is better) so letting go and letting Him WAS SO HARD! Honestly one day it just happened I can’t tell you how or when it just did.

    1. I think you said the key here, “what society says you need” which is unfortunate.
      LisaZ your message is not like the rest. 🙂 but we all are struggling or have issues/needs as does every one else.
      As in time things that you stress/fuss over in the long run is it worth it? It will fall into place hopefully for the sooner than the later, many blessings to all.

  4. The media plays to greed , turn off the TV folks, the buy, buy, buy is constant and this is satan’s way into our lives. Live simply, buy what you can pay for, be systematic in saving and tithing , the Lord love a cheerful giver

  5. I love the perspective you brought in this post that more stuff equals more upkeep! This is a great example of the fact that we all have a “God shaped hole” inside of us that only He can fill and when we try to fill it with other stuff, it doesn’t fulfill anything……..it just keeps us searching for the next item or adventure that we think might do the trick!

  6. Simplicity has its beauty! Truly, only God satisfies our hearts’ desires. As 1 Tim. 6:6 tells us: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Thanks, Courtney! It’s been a GREAT week “walking with the King”!

  7. I just love the Happy Meal comparison! I went through a time where my life was upside down & shopping brought me what I thought was happiness but discovered it was an escape from the devastation that was occurring in my marriage. Those years brought me much wisdom and I learned to be more content with what I have and am able to have a better appreciation for everything including my husband.

  8. Right now, I just want my husband to find a good-paying job. I’m LITERALLY tired of being the one keeping us afloat. I’ve NEVER been afforded the opportunity to be a SAHM. I’m soon to be 44..my back is broken(a herniated and 2 bulged discs in my lower spine) from this profession of mine(Nursing), I’m in pain every day. Medicines I take to help my pain has caused weight gain. Not a fun life, that’s for sure.

  9. This really hits home right now. I’ve recently left my job because it was having a negative effect on everything in my life, but especially my family life. I do not have another job and I worry about making ends meet every single day. I worry about being worried about money ha! It’s one of the things I hate most in life. Growing up I was in a loving home, but I had a stay at home mom and my dad didn’t make a lot. We never went hungry, but I grew up knowing we didn’t have a lot of money and sometimes even being worried about money. I have this deep seated desire to NOT have my child grow up like that. I don’t know if it’s rational or not, but it’s how I feel. There is literally nothing I despise more than being worried about money. I don’t want a lot. I just want to not have to worry about how we are going to pay the bills and buy what we need every day, every week, every month. I hate it sooooo much. However, I also hated my job. I mean I am really struggling right now and this study has been so good for me and helped, but I’m still worried about the future. I wish I was better at trusting God.

  10. While money does not buy us happiness, it does allow us to make choices. Choices of where to send the kids to school, choices of eating healthy foods, choices to live in a safe neighborhood, choices to see doctors and dentists. There is nothing wrong or sinful in waiting financial freedom and to live a debt-free. I think the author is forgetting who her reader-base is. Her readers are {mostly} Christian women striving to live simple and humble debt-free lives. The readers are not money-hungry people living luxurious lifestyles. By the author saying that the readers are seeking Adult happy meals is very out-of-touch with her reading audience.

  11. I grew up in a country where people valued friendships, education, and experiences over material possessions. I never wanted to marry a wealthy man, and prayed for a husband in ministry because I wanted to devote my life to something with eternal value. God had other plans and I am married to a man who knows and loves God, but also became very blessed financially. I am thankful for His provision and we do use some of His resources to support others who are in ministry. Still, overall I do feel that having a lot is a big burden and responsibility. What you said is right: the more you have the less time you have to use and enjoy it all, the more upkeep it takes, etc. We have a large family and I find I spend too much time organizing, sorting, cleaning up. Sometimes I joke that I went from being a Cinderella in a small place to being a Cinderella in a castle. Do you have any suggestions on what to do about this, and how to find more joy in the midst of this?

  12. Wow. I love all the positive comments. I’m wiritng because I would love to hear advice, comments or any wonderments all you beautiful ladies have to say: My husband and I used to live in Florida near my side of family. He got a job promotion and we moved to Minnesota and we lived there for about 8years. It was great but not near any family at all. We had a great home church. We both had been praying on and off through the years “GOD please move use closer to family”. We now live in Brunswick, Georgia which is 1 1/2 hours away from my family. Not sure if we as a family have made the right move or if the lure of more money for this postion was the reason that we moved. Both my husband and I have been struggling try to find the right answers from GOD about being here and NOTHING MAKES SENSE.What should we do? Should we stay or should I encourage him to get another job? Thanks for listening and looking forward to your responses.

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