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Saturday 5th February

I was intrigued this week by a new report being published that declares – and quite blatantly – that those with more money are indeed more happy (The Institute of Economic Affairs – 17/01/12), and I’m guessing that most of us (…at face value at least) wouldn’t argue with that…

Certainly in my own household, the opportunity to have more and spend more is always celebrated with great excitement (…it doesn’t happen very often!), and for a while at least – happiness is guaranteed. However, with some of my children’s Christmas toys already being discarded, my thought though is ‘how long does it last’?

As a Minister, I have to say, I do see both ends of this spectrum; from those who live with a very ‘throw away’ understanding – always looking for the next best thing - and those who seem to have very little in terms of contemporary wealth, and its always this latter group who seem far happier to me!

This is also backed up in the Bible - one of the most famous of Jesus’ stories sees a man acquiring instant wealth, and being very happy to spend it – but yet when his money runs out he is left alone, destitute and desperate. That is clearly the fear today too, that our money simply will not last.

Of course the end to that story is that the man returns home humbly and finds happiness again because he finds a Father who is overjoyed that he has come back, and says nothing about his reckless life. How many of us would honestly do the same with an irresponsible child of ours?

To me what this all means is that ‘whatever’ your financial position, in the long term happiness is not down to your bank balance, but in how you deal with your life and your relationships – beginning with your relationship with God (who the Father in Jesus’ story represents). We explore what this means every week in Bethany – why not seek your happiness with us?

The Lord Bless you.

Phil