Is Happiness Important? 11-2-08
I was reading an excerpt from Hedge Fund Manager Jonathan Hoenig’s book “Greed is Good: The Capitalist Pig Guide to Investing” wherein he said that the point of life was to be as happy as possible (rough paraphrase). The immediate reaction that arose in my mind was the wrongness of this notion; obviously our existence here is not for the purpose of our happiness. But then I started to rethink this: what if he is right?
No, I do not think that what we commonly think of as happiness is the point of life here on Earth. Most people (especially Americans) will define happiness as something along the lines of comfort, carnal-satiation, or wish-fulfillment. But if you extrapolate the end result of those things, does it lead to happiness? Try unfettered gluttony – you will end up seriously obese, with major health problems and possibly even some emotional trauma. Try doing only the things that come easily, avoiding any sweat, pain, or effort – you will become thoroughly unproductive and lacking in any accomplishment (and probably friendless, as well). Seeking after simple wish fulfillment (as opposed to working towards goals) often leads the unwary into the snares of conmen and predators.
But what about true happiness? What is it, and should we be seeking it? For example, there are both immediate and long-term benefits that come from productive labor: the immediate benefits are a sense of accomplishment and increased fitness (physical, mental, and/or spiritual, depending on the type of labor); the long-term benefits are an increase in health and wealth (fiscal, physical, mental, social, and spiritual). Understanding this does not require a tremendous leap of faith or the wisdom of Solomon. Our cultural history is full of fables and proverbs such as Benjamin Franklin’s – Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
God’s word provides more teaching about this than mere common sense; God goes further by showing why this is so.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13 NIV)
What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 NIV)
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23 NIV)
In the first passage, the Apostle Paul states that he knows the secret to being content in all situations: drawing on the strength of the Lord. This is not saying that he pays no attention to pain or suffering, nor is it saying that he never feels privation or hunger; on the contrary, he makes it plain that he is fully cognizant of need and discomfort – he has simply drawn on the power of God to be content no matter what be happening. This is much akin to Proverbs 30:8-9 in which the writer asks for God to keep him from being too rich (and thus arrogantly forsaking God) or too poor (and thus dishonoring God by stealing). The second passage shows that God made man to be happy (in food, drink, and work) and in doing good (precluding abuses of food, drink, and work). The third passage shows that the servants of the master can only share in the happiness of the master through faithfulness.
Our existence on this Earth is precisely for the purpose of our happiness – but that happiness is only obtainable through our relationship with God. So I’d have to say that our happiness is very important. Let’s work to be happy through a better understanding of, and a stronger connection to, the Living God.
-Charles Peterson