THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - QUALITIES THAT PROMOTE HAPPINESS

CONTENTMENT.   "We have brought nothing into the world and neither can we carry anything out.  So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things."  (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) People who are content are not disposed to complain or grumble, and their attitude protects them against envy.  And because their desires do not exceed their means,  they spare themselves needless anxiety and stress.

GENEROSITY.  "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."  (Acts 20:35)  Generous people are happy because they enjoy making others happy, even if all they can give is a little of their time and energy.  They often gain in abundance what no amount of money can buy-love, respect, and genuine friends, who give generously in return! -LUKE 6:38. 

PUTTING PEOPLE BEFORE THINGS.  "Better  is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened bull where there is hatred." ( Proverbs  15:17)  The point?  Loving relationships  with others are more important than material riches. And love, as we shall see later, is vital to happiness. 

Sabina a woman in South Africa, learned the value of Bible principles. Abandoned by her husband, Sabina struggled to obtain life's necessities for herself and her two daughters.  She held two jobs and daily rose at 4:00 a. m.  Despite her grueling schedule, Sabina decided to study the Bible.  The result? 

Her economic status remained much the same.  But her outlook on life improved dramatically!  For example, she gained the happiness that comes from satisfying one's spiritual need.  (Matthew 5:3) She found true friends among fellow believers. And she experienced the happiness of giving by sharing with others what she had learned.

"Wisdom is vindicated by its results," The Bible says. (Matthew 11:19)  On that basis, contentment and generosity as well as putting people before things stand thoroughly vindicated! 

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Physical Health and Resilience

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