In this talk, Michael Norton shares fascinating research on how money can, indeed buy happiness — when you don’t spend it on yourself.
I think you will find the talk interesting, but what I would like for us to consider and comment on is Michael’s phrase “money can buy you happiness.”
What does the Bible teach about happiness?
What do you think, as a believer about the subject
“If you think money can’t buy happiness, you’re not spending it right,” Norton said. “You should stop thinking about which product to buy for yourself, and try giving some of it to other people instead.”
“The reason that money doesn’t make us happy is that we’re always spending on the wrong things, and in particular that we’re always spending it on ourselves,” he said.
Norton said that in numerous studies, “people who spent money on other people got happier; people who spent money on themselves, nothing happened. It didn’t make them less happy; it just didn’t do much for them.”
Is it a sin to be rich?
Can money indeed buy happiness?
Please share your thoughts here!
Walter Bright 
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
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Money can never buy a person happiness because happiness is a state of mind…the more you have the more you sit up wondering how to make more of it…Only Jesus can give you Joy
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Desiray, I agree with you… Thank you for taking the time to read and comment… See you on your blog.
What money does is that it gives people a false sense of security… Proverbs 18:11 – “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.” Money cannot buy you security.
Money ca not buy Peace. How can one be happy without peace?
Money can not but salvation. It is free of charge. How can one be happy without salvation?
Money cannot but a godly wife. Not a gold digging wife, but a godly wife. How can one be happy without a godly wife?
Money cannot buy Health, healing. Last time I checked the rich and the poor both get sick. The christian and the non-believer get sick. The difference is one has hope and sometimes the other seem to be hopeless. How can one be happy without hope?
The list goes on…money cannot buy – empathy, love, talent, clean conscience, great ideas, respect? You can use money to buy things that make you feel better, but you cannot buy happiness.
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The Bible never suggests that it is a sin to be rich. On the contrary, some great men of faith have been among the wealthiest people of their day—men like Job, Abraham, David, and Solomon. It was the Lord Himself who gave these men their riches, for it is He who holds the reins of wealth. But was money their source of happiness? I think their source of whole ness, well being, joy and happiness came from God or a relationship with him who is the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9) For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Finally, I think His presence satisfies the most… “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
Happiness is conditional and depends on the positive outcome of things… In many ways happiness is temporary and doesn’t seem to stand the test of times. But joy brings fullness. It is not dependent on whether I get a raise or make the million dollar deal. It sure will be nice to make the deal, but I am not going to kill myself if I don’t get that deal, that latest gadget…certainly I am not going to kill someone to get it either.
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