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Money has long been associated with the pursuit of happiness,
but the truth is that wealth alone cannot guarantee happiness. The old American
movie "Poor Little Rich Girl" is a testament to this fact. While at weddings, we
often hear the newlyweds toasted in the words "Health, Wealth, and Happiness,"
it's important to recognize that these three objectives are distinct from each
other. In reality, you can be both happy and healthy and poor by normal
standards at the same time. However, if you are unhappy, money can only cure
your misery in some circumstances. Additionally, if you have an incurable
illness, no amount of money can buy the treatment to reverse that condition.
Most people would agree that the human being is a composite of body, mind, and
spirit. Each of these parts has separate needs that must be fulfilled if
happiness is to result. This fulfillment is most often, though not always,
achieved through the love and companionship found in a good marriage. Newlyweds
may start out together with few possessions and little money and still be
blissfully happy, with their body, mind, and spirit fulfilled. Yet, marital
happiness is not a static thing, and as the couple grows older, they change, and
happiness has to be constantly worked for if it is to mature into lifelong love
and friendship. Unfortunately, the divorce rate in the West shows that many
couples lack that incentive and are not prepared to show the unselfishness and
willingness to put each other's needs first, which is necessary if happiness is
to last. Often, this process of alienation goes on at the very time when the
couple is getting past their money problems, when the pennies no longer have to
be counted.
This situation is highlighted when money has never been a problem, as in the
case of some of the British royal family. Differences in outlook, such as in
mind and spirit, sever relationships most effectively. For instance, one royal
was interested only in farming and country pursuits, while his wife, some years
ago, decided to devote her life to "Save the Children." Money never entered the
equation, yet they are permanently separated because their minds and spirits had
grown apart.
If "old" money can be irrelevant, "new" money can be a positive menace. Every
week in England, somebody becomes a sterling millionaire by winning a football
pool forecast. More often than not, the winner's cry is "spend, spend, spend!"
and the money soon disappears. In the process, homes shatter, bad relationships
are formed, drugs and alcohol are abused, and often the winner ends up with
nothing.
So, at least this can be said: money itself is neutral. The ideal is wise
stewardship, which generally means making one's existing lifestyle more
comfortable but using excess income for charitable purposes. Money should not be
seen as the key to luxury and self-indulgence. Money is not the root of all
evil, but the correct version is true enough: "the love of money is the root of
all evil" (Christian New Testament). The love of money is a cold, alienating
obsession. Was Howard Hughes a happy man? |
