Can Money Buy Happiness?

In today’s money, Solomon, the wisest human who ever lived, possessed what would make him one of the top five richest men in the world.

He lived in a palace that took 13 years to build (1 Kings 7:1). He owned 40,000 stalls of horses (1 Kings 4:26).

In Ecclesiastes5 he writes, “He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income.”

Obviously, Solomon was in a position to know whether money would bring happiness, and he didn’t hesitate to say that it does not.

Many people, however, believe you can buy happiness.

“If only I had a new car.” “If only I lived in that nice house.” “If only… then, I’d be happy.”

The list is endless.

The Lord evaluates true riches based on His spiritual value system. Those who are wealthy yet do not enjoy a close relationship with Christ are actually poor.

Revelation 3:17 reads, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

True prosperity extends far beyond material possessions. True prosperity is gauged by how well we know Jesus Christ and how closely we follow Him.

It all boils down to this…True joy is based on our relationship with Christ.

*Image used with permission. *