简体中文 
English 
Today, as I was reading the Daily Bread, I began to ponder over Philippians 4:12: 
” 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.”
This verse struck a cord in me. I am finishing the book Delivering Happiness, where the author Tony Hsieh talks about the literature of Positive Psychology, which is also a topic of my interest. The book summarizes several key findings in the literature:
- Money does buy happiness… but only to a point.
- It has been shown that once you reach a certain income level (around $75,000 according to newest research), then your level of happiness does not increase much as income increases.
- People don’t know what will satisfy them in the long term.
- Many people thought they would be happier if they got this or that, when when they finally got it, it turned out that they were not any happier.
- For example, there is a study comparing the state of happiness of lottery winners one year after they won their lotteries. The finding is that it is about the same as or lower than before winning.
- The source of long-lasting happiness is doing something that “contributes to a higher purpose that they really believe in”.
Looking at these findings, we Christian should feel truly blessed. The Bible has taught us not only the lessons above, but also gives us the secrets to happiness. First of all, we have a purpose. We know whatever we do, we do it for Him, whether it is work or family. Secondly, material possessions will not make us happy. It is what we do with material to help others that will. Thirdly, just as what Philippians 4:12 teaches us, if we remind ourselves to be content in every situation and count our blessings, then we will be happy.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.” – Serenity Prayer