Richer = Happier? Nope.

Apparently, I'm drawn to money v. life stories this week. Here's a collection of counter-intuitive quotes about happiness and satisfaction -- based on recent research -- from a helpful little article by Michael Shermer on ScientificAmerican.com:

"Imagine you have a choice between earning $50,000 a year while other people make $25,000 or earning $100,000 a year while other people get $250,000. . . . Which would you prefer? Surprisingly, studies show that the majority of people select the first option."

"Once average annual income is above $20,000 a head, higher pay brings no greater happiness."

"Happiness is better equated with satisfaction than pleasure, says Emory University psychiatrist Gregory Berns. . . . 'While you might find pleasure by happenstance--winning the lottery, possessing the genes for a sunny temperament, or having the luck not to live in poverty--satisfaction can arise only by the conscious decision to do something. And this makes all the difference in the world, because it is only your own actions for which you may take responsibility and credit.' "

About 20 centuries ago, the biblical writer Paul came to a similar conclusion, urging his readers to break the false link between having money and being satisfied with life -- which he said comes from making the conscious decision to "do" godliness (as a Christian):

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. . . .

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Timothy 6)

Paul's conclusion is the same. We can have enjoyment from God's good gifts without having much money -- and we can have lots of money without having much enjoyment of the stuff money buys. Which will we choose to go after?