The Money Lies We Believe

According to an ABC-TV news report called “The Mystery of Happiness,” in a survey of 49 of Forbes magazine’s richest people, 37 percent reported lower than average happiness levels. It seems obvious that money does not make people happy. Money is just that: Dollars and cents — nothing more, nothing less.

But that is not what many of us believe. Sure, the wisdom of the ages has warned of the dangers of riches. The news regularly reports stories of wealthy people who live lives of pain and despair. We see rich starlets and overpaid athletes arrested because their lives remained empty while they were trying to fill the holes in their hearts. Sadly, many of us Christians (who are called to be the “salt of the earth”) have lost our savor. Many of us are in the same mess as the rest of the world. Even those of us who would criticize others who abuse drugs and alcohol think nothing of anesthetizing the pain we feel when the credit card bill arrives by going back to the mall!

We live in a culture that constantly sends the message that personal happiness is directly proportionate to how much we acquire. Pop culture tells us that happiness depends on how much money, stuff and sex we have. Granted, most of us would not admit, “Yep, that’s my philosophy of life!” But, in truth, don’t we live like we believe that message? Be honest. Haven’t you been convinced (at least upon occasion) that one more raise, a new boat, a cooler car, or a bigger house would make you happy?

I have. That’s hard to admit. But, I’m human, and I sin. 

At the heart of it all is the belief that God was wrong. In fact, the borrower is not the slave of the lender. We buy the lie and dig an even deeper hole of debt, believing we can eventually build a mountain of wealth. We live in a culture saturated with “stuffaholism.” Didn’t the apostle John warn of the dangers of loving the things of this world?

“Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2, AMP)

We have fallen for the lie from the pit that says: stuff, sex, money = happiness.  

Okay, let’s ask the hard question. 

If the world’s equation is correct:

Sex + Money + Stuff = Happiness

Then why aren’t the happiest families in America all in Hollywood?

Steve Di ggs has presented the No Debt No Sweat! Money Management and ReTooled & ReFueled Essential Life-Skills Seminars over 500 times at churches, colleges, conferences, employee groups, and other venues nationwide. Visit Steve at www.NDNS.org, www.RetooledAndRefueled.com or www.SteveDiggs.com or call 615-834-3063.  The author of seven books, Steve has been a TV commentator, syndicated columnist, minister, and, today, is a fulltime speaker.  For 25 years he was President of the Franklin Group, Inc. Steve and Bonnie have four grown children whom they have home schooled.  The family lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.

No Debt No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminar teaches God's people how to use God's money God's way. More at www.NDNS.org.

ReTooled & ReFueled: The Essential Christian Life-Skills Seminar shows Christians how to live for the beautiful bye and bye—while dealing with the nasty now and now.  More atwww.RetooledAndRefueled.com.