Questions: 1. Can we use money to buy happiness? How? 2. Why is a good relationship with family members important?

3. How to have a good relationship with family members? 4. How do you maintain a good relationship with those around you? 5. How do you keep a good relationship with God?

Money and Happiness "... blessed is the people whose God is the LORD." (Psalms 144:15, NIV). The United States is getting richer but not happier according to the United Nations' 2018 World Happiness Report, an annual global ranking of 156 countries by their happiness. The report analyzes countries' happiness by income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, generosity and absence of corruption. In 2018, the USA ranked 18th, down four places from the year earlier1. Income is just one of several variables considered in ranking happiness. Imagine what would make a typical student happy in normal everyday life. A normal student will be happiest if he or she Wakes up with full energy; Prays to God and reads the Bible; Goes to the class on time; Understands the lecture; Does well on the quizzes and tests; Enjoys eating lunch with friends; Has money to purchase stuff; Enjoys the sunset; Listens to music while studying; Has a comfortable bed to sleep in; And thanks God for a blessed day. Can you identify which of the above activities directly or indirectly relates with money? Is there any activity independent of money? Look at the following poem. Money Will Buy: A bed BUT NOT sleep A steak BUT NOT appetite

Books BUT NOT wisdom Finery BUT NOT a sunset A house BUT NOT a home Amusement BUT NOT joy A clock BUT NOT time A crucifix BUT NOT salvation2 Money or income is not omnipotent in making us happy, even though it affects our happiness. Economists and psychologists have conducted research and found that there is a positive relationship between income and happiness, meaning that increases in income tend to correlate with increases in happiness. However, the relationship is weak.3 Beyond money, everlasting happiness comes from a good relationship with family members, others, and most important with God. "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." (Proverbs 17:1) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility." (Ephesians 2:14-16) A good relationship with those around you and our Creator will bring peace to you. In life, nothing will give you more happiness than this.