It is harder for us middle class Americans to be happy than for someone living in a third-world country who is dirt poor.

It is harder for us because it will take so much more for us to be happy. A house? Already got that. College education? Got that. A new car? Got that, too. An iPhone? Have several…. We are already living out somebody’s dream! A kid in rural Philippines living in a hut cannot even begin to imagine the lifestyle you and I are living here in America. Frankly, even if you won a million dollars on lottery, you won’t be that happy. Maybe 20 million will do…

But imagine if you had nothing. You live in a straw house. It leaks every time it rains. Your bed is really a wooden table with a blanket on it. Your floor is dirt. That’s inside the house! You have no running water and have to go to the town well to draw it each morning. You have no TV, internet, and electricity cuts out after 10 pm.

But each night, you gather around with your family and neighbors and exchange stories. You see all the stars in the sky because there is no other light. You can hear the crickets, croaking of frogs, and the gasp of children as they listen to the stories told by the elderly. There is fire in the furnace and chestnuts are crackling. You grow your own crops and trade with others for meat, milk and others. Life is simple. Happier!

Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20) And He also said, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24)

Imagine if all you have is all you get. Imagine if heaven wasn’t any better for you than this world. Imagine if your “mansion” in heaven was actually smaller than your house now? Then what? Where would you find happiness?

Our happiness must come from something other than what this world has to offer. If not, then we have no chance at happiness because we already have the world’s best.

Having God as our source of joy enables us to find happiness in small things. It helps us be content with what we have. It also makes us look forward to the future when we will see God, the source of joy, unhindered and unclouded.

Be happy in the Lord. Find joy in little things.

PH