Friday, January 28, 2011

Does Silver and Gold make you Happy?

Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:14
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Proverbs 16:20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.




Can Money Buy Happiness?

Does Silver and Gold make you happy?

Sure, why not?

The smell and touch of crisp newly printed money and Glittering stuff are always fun and so do toys, pets, chocolate and cut flowers can make any person feel happy.

Why do you think they sell these things during Valentine's day??

Money can buy us material things that makes us happy but "happiness" is not a tangible thing.

It is a stirring up of emotions that may not necessarily be everlasting.

Maybe that is why people constantly find ways to pursue happiness.
In the Declaration of Independence of USA - Thomas Jefferson - "our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."


But what is "Happiness" ??? This is the main question.


For we know what "money" is. It is a means to exchange for goods.


Is happiness a commodity to you?





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In Ipoh, Perak, West Malaysia, and several other places, "money" used to be called "Kupang" in Malay language or literal "Clam shell".

Today, people in Perak still refer to ten cents as "satu kupang".

Thousands of years ago, if you have millions of clam, you are probably a millionaire in those days.

The Northern states especially Perak, where fishing were the main livelihood in those days and so is bartering.

One goat in exchange for 5 thousand clams, anyone???


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The definition of happiness or our "Happiness Index" changes as we age.


What made us feel happy when we were 3 years old may not necessarily do so again when we are 33 years old, or maybe and most likely it still can make us happy, depending on what it was.

Find out what makes people happy and then try to see if there is a price tag on it.


It may cost somebody to buy what makes you happy and it may cost you nothing to receive it.


We may receive something happily for free but the cost of giving you that something may have fallen on somebody else who bought for you that bit of happiness and paradise.

In this world, nothing is ever "really" and "totally" free is it?

A wedding ring most probably require money to buy but can you really put a price tag on something that brings joy and eternal happiness? (or at least until you get divorced that is.... ???)



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Have you ever seen someone pretentious, trying to look like a million dollars but you can tell he has nothing?


Have you ever seen someone who looked like a poor roadside cleaner even though he is wearing designer clothes and has millions of dollars in his bank account?


I guess sometimes, money cannot buy us substance and style; neither can it bring about confidence and trust.

In Isaiah 64:6 mentioned that "in all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags".


Without our Heavenly Father's light of life support and true riches, our own works no matter how good are as filty rags.

Without light shining on a piece of cut diamond, it is useless and has no beauty in darkness.



Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 36:9
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Proverbs 16:15
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.


John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


2 Timothy 1:10
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and
hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:





Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:7
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Isaiah 64:9
Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

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