Why "Money Can't Buy Happiness" is a Lie

My friend Nadia showed up unexpectedly at my house once with these beautiful flowers in hand.  I had been given a beautiful vase in a gift exchange at one of her Christmas parties (by another faithful friend).  She said she wanted to be the first to fill that vase with love.  Extravagant.  Happiness.  Proof Positive.

My freshman year at Portland Bible College, we were asked to do a study on a character quality.  I chose generosity.  It was one of my first experiences endeavoring to look at every verse on a particular topic in Scripture and turned out to be a great learning experience.  But more than that, there was a MARKED sense of God's presence as I studied, that has never been duplicated in any other study I've done.  

I've come to expect God's presence during worship, and I often sense Him when I pray.  But during this study, He came close.  He was there with me as I read verses, there when I organized my findings into categories, and there when I presented them in class.  His near tangible closeness felt like a warm blanket around me, or like a close friend looking over my shoulder.  I could feel His smile and His interest.  I was studying something close to His heart.

God loves extravagant giving because He is an extravagant giver and when we participate in giving, we are expressing His character.  I think it's like a parent looking at their own DNA staring back at them when they see their children.  Deep calls unto deep, and He senses His DNA in us, when we act like Him.

The funnest, most exciting moments in life have been the times when I have given extravagantly.  It takes planning, it takes discipline to set aside funds, it takes a depth of love.  It takes research to be sure that the gift is matching the person being given.  It takes plotting.  It takes dreaming.  All of which stretch across time, and build anticipation in the giver's heart.

Watching joy arise in a person's heart after a long day, or wash over them like a wave, or erupt like Niagra Falls as the result of a gift?  There's no better feeling.  

Money may not buy happiness when we spend it on ourselves; but the keenest, sharpest joy I've ever experienced is when I've acted like my Heavenly Father and given extravagantly with all my heart.

Money can absolutely buy happiness.  When given away.