Money Cannot Buy Happiness

10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless (useless) to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! 12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep. 13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. 16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. 17 Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry. 18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (NLT) (see also Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).

King Solomon witnessed that those who love money and pursue money fervently never find the happiness and inner peace money promises.  Wealth and possessions can never completely satisfy us and make us happy (see also Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19). Even more, money often attracts freeloaders, hangers-on, thieves, sleepless nights, and fear.  Hoarding riches and possession can be easily lost. Even if you accumulate great wealth, you may not have an opportunity to enjoy your riches (Ecclesiastes 6:1-3). Ultimately, we must leave our wealth and possessions when we die (Mark 10:23-25; Luke 12:16-21).

Money and riches are not sinful if earned honestly (Proverbs 10:15, 22; Proverbs 14:24; Proverbs 21:6; Proverbs 22:16). Moreover, money in itself is not evil, but loving money leads to all sorts of sin (1 Timothy 6:10). Whatever financial situation you are in, we must never depend on money to make us happy.  Instead, we must focus on God and place our trust and hope in Him and Him alone for true and lasting happiness.

Our life is meant to be enjoyed with love, laughter, and peace as we all seek to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Philippians 4:4; James 1:2; see also Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1). Righteous living is more important than hoarding, seeking, and accumulating money. Life is lived happily and balanced as we seek, love, and trust God; love and enjoy our family and neighbors; and enjoy our work. Besides, pursuing wealth and other risky investments lead to needless worries, concerns, and often sadness! Love God and love people and you will find true happiness (John 13:34-35).