They Lied. Money Can Buy Happiness

Jeff Lampl
Sunday, February 28, 2016

Last Sunday on the way home from church . . . . 

I happened upon a TED talk on the radio during which the researcher claimed that his research on money, spending and happiness showed that the old saying “money can’t buy happiness” is completely wrong.   You can check out the 10 minute video here.

Next, one of our elders sent me this scripture that also speaks to what money buys.  Isaiah addresses fasting, spending, and what results from spending on the right things.   Isaiah’s “research” into God’s opinion of “money can’t buy happiness” outdoes the finding of the TED talk by a mile.  

“Is not this the fast that I chose:  to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free?  

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.

And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not”     Isaiah 58:6-11

“Lord, as you put before my eyes opportunities to spend on others,
prompt me to take them for your sake, in process giving me the happiness
that is so elusive when I spend on myself.  Amen”