Money can buy Happiness: Food for Thought

 

It is said that money can’t buy happiness. This is something we hear and say all the time. But what is happiness? And why can’t money buy it?

Psychology states that happiness is not a permanent state of being but a fleeting emotion. In other words, it comes and goes. It comes from fulfilling possibilities and goes when our needs aren’t satisfied.

Happiness is not an exact science since it’s not a one-size-fits-all concept as everyone’s view of happiness isn’t the same. Happiness tends to fade when what has brought it subsides.

Our circumstances have a tendency to affect our happiness. The ups and downs that we face in relationships affect our happiness. Our happiness depends on the sort of day we have at work or school or even at home. Happiness is situational. For some, finances have a great effect on whether they’re happy or not – happy when they can afford and unhappy when they can’t because they believe that money is tied to happiness.

Purchasing a new car can elevate one’s happiness. Buying a new house manifests great happiness. Acquiring that long-awaited top of the line cell phone can transform a person into a happy camper. Being able to afford a vacation can evoke happiness.

So yes, money can buy happiness, happiness that won’t last forever.

But there is something that’s so valuable that money can’t buy it; it’s priceless and you should do all you can to have it because once you get it, it will last forever.

You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained. – 1 Peter 1:8 (ERV)

This inexpressible joy beloved, a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained and money can’t buy, comes from our love of and belief in Christ; it is heavenly, a gift from the Lord.

This joy is not contextual; it’s not dependent on whether the attendant at KFC gave you exactly what you ordered.

This joy is not temporary; it does not vacillate.

In Philippians 4:4 Apostle Paul told the Philippians and tells us to Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. (ERV)

But where does this joy come from?

This joy is an element of the Fruit that His indwelling Spirit produces in every believer (see Galatians 5:22).

This joy is an ingrown attitude, that same attitude that gave Apostle Paul the impetus to say,

It has been a great joy to me that after all this time you have shown such interest in my welfare. I don’t mean that you had forgotten me, but up till now you had no opportunity of expressing your concern. Nor do I mean that I have been in actual need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me. – Philippians 4:10-13 (PHILLIPS)

Paul knew the secret, he understood that the joy of the Lord was his strength (Nehemiah 8:10), that God remains faithful even in his brokenness, that joy isn’t an external paradigm but is Spirit-imbued and rooted in God.

We can all agree that happiness is good, but we can also agree that joy is great. We often link pleasurable events with happiness, but pleasure alone is not enough. Joy transcends pleasure.

Beloved, none of us can ever feel good all the time but we can rejoice always because joy, though not based on how good life is, contributes to our quality of life despite what we may be going through.

Chew on this for today.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Money can buy Happiness: Food for Thought” ©2026 April 8, 2026