How to Buy Happiness

Jul 26 2022 - Eric Buresh

Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote in 1750 – “Money buys everything, except happiness.” From this was drawn the idiom, “Money can’t buy happiness.” American country music artist Chris Jansen agrees with the notion but isn’t convinced it’s not worth trying:

I know everybody says money can't buy happiness
But it could buy me a boat
It could buy me a truck to pull it
It could buy me a Yeti 110 iced down with some silver bullets.

When we come to our churches and ministries, we are consistently asked to give our money away. Why? Because we’re supposed to do whatever God lays on our heart. We’re supposed to obey. We’re supposed to be generous. While those reasons are all absolutely true, I think they leave many of us missing the grand truth of God’s economy and may leave many without a joy in giving that God most definitely intends for us.

Experientially, most of us who are in a body of believers have heard many and consistent stories about how giving in obedience has changed the lives of our brothers and sisters. It led to greater joy and greater peace, a more abundant life. So, what exactly is happening in all this? Is there some natural cause and effect related to giving? Well, it’s not natural, it’s a supernatural result of God’s promises and His always faithful keeping of His promises.

God explains his multifaceted economy to us in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. It’s somewhat like the water cycle where water evaporates, is carried by clouds to different locations, falls as rain or snow, evaporates again, and so on as God cares for the earth and we return our praise for His provision. In His giving economy, God is the first giver, and the last giver, and we are like the clouds that distribute His gifts, returning praise for His provision. Let’s break down the giving cycle:

Step 1: God supplies the resources for giving. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way. (vs. 10-11). God is the first giver. He is the Great Supplier. In whatever way He lays on your heart to give, He will supply the resources for that generosity.

Step 2: We give the resources God gave us and the needs of others are met. For the ministry of this service is [ ] supplying the needs of the saints. (vs. 12). What an inexpressible gift (vs. 15) that God chooses to use His saints to supply the needs of the saints. He most definitely could address the same needs directly, but He has decided to give us a part in His ministry of provision. His purposes are at the heart of God’s economy – His glory and our joy!

Step 3: The saints return thanksgiving and GLORY to God. God’s provision through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (vs. 11). The saints will be overflowing in many thanksgivings to God (vs. 12) and will GLORIFY God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ. (vs. 13). God’s economy is so majestically beautiful. When we give as the sons and daughters of God in Christ, we confirm our confession of the gospel to our brothers and sisters, which brings forth thanksgiving to God and shines forth His glory. He is SO wise!

Step 4: God gives the obedient giver surpassing grace and all sufficiency for all things. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (vs. 8) and the surpassing grace of God [is] upon you. (vs. 14). This is abundant life – that God’s grace abounds to us and always gives us sufficiency in all things. This is the promise of God that explains why lives are changed because of obedient giving. Giving triggers an outpouring of God’s grace that creates joy and peace. This is how you can buy happiness! The philosophers are wrong. When you give in God’s economy as He lays on your heart, it completes a cycle that produces glory for Him and abundant joy for us.

The result: A cheerful giver! We give liberally as God lays on our heart, because we know it will simultaneously bring the great love of our life glory and praise and will result in abundant grace to us and a resulting joy and sufficiency in all things. If that doesn’t make you excited to participate in this beautiful cycle, it may be a good idea to check your spiritual pulse. Jesus, Jesus, How we Trust You!

P.S.: Proverbs expresses the same wisdom that 2 Corinthians 9 explains:

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:24-25)