The Secret to Dying Happy-Spend it All!

They've proven it again; those who give the most are the happiest.  Last month (March 20) the journal Science reported a new study that concluded that in determining happiness, it's not how much money one has, but rather what one does with the money one has.  Study participants were given cash in the amounts of $5 or $20.  Some were told to spend the money on themselves while others were told to spend it on someone else or give it to a charity.  Without fail, those who spent or gave for others reported being considerably happier than those who were encouraged to be selfish.  And it's not just about money either.

            Another study released a year ago reported that people with careers that serve others were most satisfied and happiest.  Clergy were the most satisfied, followed by firefighters, teachers, professors, therapists and other helping professionals.  The happy professionals did not earn as much as lawyers, bankers, and the like, but reported much more satisfaction with their lives.

            Jesus was right.  A meaningful and fulfilled life is a life lived for others.  He calls us to spend our lives for others.  Jesus said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many," (Matt. 20.25-28).

            Like money, life brings the most joy when it is given away-spent, if you will.  There are so many ways to spend our lives for other.  I am not encouraging you to give all that you are and all that you have, rather to tithe your life even as Scripture calls us to tithe our wealth.  Mother Teresa said, "Giving needs not be confined to money or material gifts, but I would like more people to give their hands to serve and their hearts to love."[1]

            Just as you can't take wealth with you to the grave, so life will end, and we will enter our eternal life.  Go to the grave spent-having given this life away-and you will certainly die happy.

Daniel

[1] Mother Teresa, My Life for the Poor, p. 35.