Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
The New King James says, “a house full of feasting with strife.”
What is the purpose of wealth?
Is it a means, or an end in and of itself?
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
18 ¶Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Wealth for wealth’s sake is pure vanity. Is it worth the trouble to acquire? Is it worth the trouble to maintain?
If wealth is not an end in and of itself, but a means to and end, then what is that end?
“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” - Aristotle
What is it that you want? Aside from habit, why do you get out of bed in the morning? Why do you go to school, go to work, save up for retirement? What is your goal.
Most people’s answer would fall somewhere under the heading of happiness. Happiness is not easy to define, yet everyone seems to know what it means. Each of us caries an image of happiness, like a carrot dangled before us, driving us on. That image probably varies widely from person to person. In most cases that image is made up of things that we think will bring us happiness. Things such as love, comfort, and pleasure. Pleasure is often mistaken for happiness. Physical pleasure, sensuality, can contribute to happiness, but far too often, used as a cheap substitute for happiness, it has no connection whatsoever to happiness. Often it becomes a stumbling block in our pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of happiness will often result in pleasure, even sensual pleasure, but the pursuit of pleasure for it’s own sake often produces much pain and little happiness.
Now that I’ve gotten way off course, back to the definition of happiness. Once we’ve separated the means from the ends, and filtered out the things we substitute for happiness, we may come up with a definition along the lines of a sense of wellbeing and contentment, or maybe inner peace. That narrows things down a bit, doesn’t it?
This rant could go on forever. I guess I’m just trying to get us to stop from time to time an reexamine our purpose for living and, if need be, realign our desires and ambitions.
So, what is more likely to bring you happiness: a seven course meal of the finest food prepared by the finest chef served in the finest dining room and shared with the most famous, wealthy, powerful, and beautiful people ever, or a peanut butter sandwich with someone who truly loves you? All the wealth in the world, or the ability to rejoice in our labor and enjoy what we have, however little it may be?
As for me, I’d take a peanut butter sandwich with peace and quiet, and a few loved ones, over filet mignon with the Hollywood elite any day.
