Christmas is a time when giving of gifts occupies much of our thinking.
“How to buy happiness.” A talk on the TED website, by Michael Norton delivered in Cambridge in April 2012, caught my eye. He sets about to refute the old adage, that we have probably all heard: “Money can’t buy happiness.” He disproves this by drawing on scientifically conducted surveys in the USA, Uganda and 136 other nations. He observed that ‘Money can buy happiness’. This he found to be true in both the most affluent, and also the poorest of societies.
But key to this happiness, is that you have to give the money away. He found that money made, hoarded, or spent on one’s self, did not increase one’s happiness. “You have to give it away!” in order for it to bring you happiness.
Ten years ago, as the Christmas season started, someone asked: “Whose birthday is it anyway?” “Jesus'”, came the ready answer. “Well! Has anyone here ever given Him a birthday present?” Of the 50 people there, none had ever given this a thought.
“Let’s change this! This coming Christmas morning, let us bring our gifts to Jesus. The money collected will be sent to an orphanage in Cambodia. We believe Jesus will be pleased with this.”
The response from this humble group of people was quite overwhelming. A holidaymaker, visiting this Christmas morning church service said: “I have been deeply moved by what you have done, here today. I did not come prepared to give, but would very much like to do so. I have checked this with my family and we would like to give our family cabin cruiser boat, to be sold for cash. Will you please add the proceeds to the offering for the orphanage in Cambodia?” This fine boat was sold and the proceeds, together with the offering was sent to provide for the orphans.
Dear reader, here is a suggestion for you: This Christmas, plan to set aside a money gift for a needy cause. There are a number of worthy initiatives here on the Dolphin Coast. Select one and make your Jesus’ gift to the poor children that are close at hand.
No matter what your financial status may happen to be, there are few things as powerful, that can lift your spirits, as giving to someone less privileged than you. By doing so, make this a truly happy Christmas for you and your family.
“Money can buy happiness, if you give it away.”
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