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How to Find Happiness Money Can’t Buy

At the core of our being, we all want the same things. We want security, acceptance, happiness and significance. These desires were built into us from the beginning of time from the One who created us, and we should not be ashamed to say we have them. They are part of our design.

But what is not part of the design is the sense that these needs will be met when we get more money, more fame and more success.

Money can’t buy happiness.

Fame can’t buy happiness.

Happiness can only be found in one place.

Recently, I was on an airplane and God was speaking to me in a clear way, so I pulled out my journal to write a few things down. When God gives me words, I don’t want to miss them or forget them. I wrote in my journal:

“I want my people to know that when they get me, they’ve hit the jackpot.”

Just as I wrote the word “jackpot,” I looked to my right and noticed the man next to me was reading an article about a comedian who had recently been branching out into more serious movie roles. Immediately, I saw the word “jackpot” on the page of that magazine as well—except in a slightly different context.

The article was saying, basically:

“This guy is rich, famous and talented—he’s hit the jackpot.” 

I was so struck by the fact that the word “jackpot” had been the word God had given me, and also the word in that magazine article, I couldn’t help but linger there for awhile, considering the implications. And the conclusion I came to was this: The “jackpot” of the world is not a jackpot at all.

It is an endless pit that will never be satisfied.

The only way to find true satisfaction is to seek Jesus.

Consider this quote by C.S. Lewis:

“All that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—[is] the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

Are you looking to something other than God to make you happy? 

This is a trap so many people get caught in—Christians included. Don’t assume that because you’ve been following God for years you somehow are immune to this problem.

Everything around us and in us (movies, advertising, television, the brokenness of our spirits) is busy convincing us that something other than God will satisfy.

Have you gotten tricked by this train of thought?