The title of this post was designed to grab your attention. Read the entire post and you will see why man’s logic that more money means more happiness is just patently false and likely to disappoint.
Money has had no appreciable impact on our happiness. We know how to be content and I would be happy if I was “dirt poor” again. The Apostle Paul said it this way to the church in Philippi:
Philippians 4:10-13 (ESV) – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
The him in this passage of scripture is our Savior, Jesus.
I participate in a Fidelity Investor Community. One of the participants is someone that probably would not like me given his caustic comments about some of my posts. He clearly does not like Dave Ramsey or anyone who thinks Dave Ramsey helps people get out of debt. He strikes me as someone who is very pleased with his own wisdom.
The question he raised in the community was: “Does money make you happier?”
He then went on to say (with several grammar and spelling corrections made by me): “Considering money gives one freedom, the core of American values, why would it not make you happier? You can choose where to work if at all, where to live; rich people live longer and healthier. Lower middle class or poor people cite the values of relationships, but rich people have good relationships as well, but have the freedom to leave a bad marriage where poor people may be stuck in an abusive one. Finally, if you’re rich you can see the best psychiatrist in town if you are not happy. Rich is better.
I won’t pick apart the argument, but just about every sentence in his defense is just so sad. If rich people are so happy, why would they need the “best psychiatrist in town if you are not happy.” Didn’t that just destroy his argument?
One other participant quickly pointed out the fallacies in his thinking. His thinking is illogical. Here is what this person said:
“…the “money makes one happy” conclusion is an example of a few common logical fallacies in our thinking:
Denying the antecedent – (Wikipedia): If A then B; therefore, if Not A, then Not B; If “poor” then “unhappy”, therefore if “Not poor” then “Not unhappy.” In reality, money does not guarantee happiness as there are many miserable rich individuals and many contented and happy “poor folks.”
Fallacy of the single cause – (Wikipedia): A caused B; therefore, A is the only cause of B; “Affluence” caused “happiness”, therefore “affluence” is the only cause of “happiness.” In reality, non-affluent people are often happy too.
Know Your Flocks & Herds 