How many times have you reasoned, “I’d be happy, if only...”? And then the dream usually continues with “if only I had more money,” or “if only I had married someone else,” or “if only I had more friends, a better job, a bigger house, etc.” The illusive breakthrough into happiness for many people hinges upon those two little words— “if only.”

What Is Your Concept?

Most people have little trouble coming up with their own formula for happiness. In view of the above “if only’s,” it usually consists of wealth, status, power, or freedom from frustration of any kind. If you have one or more of these as your goal, then you need to consider if it is worthwhile or not. One of the best ways to find out is to observe those who have lived in such conditions. King Solomon is a prime example of one who “had everything.” According to 2 Chronicles 6-9, he had enough wealth to overshadow any modern-day “Bill Gates.”

Consider Solomon’s Wealth

On a yearly basis, Solomon received six hundred sixty-six talents of gold (2 Chronicles 9:13). Six hundred sixty-six talents of gold would be about 960,000 ounces. Comparing that with today’s standard (say at $1,525 per ounce) it would amount to something like $1,464,000,000 (one billion, four hundred sixty-four million) per year. Then added to that, we are told “besides what the traveling merchants and traders brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon” (2 Chronicles 9:14). There was no need for Solomon to purchase certain items. He made five hundred shields of gold, all his drinking vessels were of gold, in fact, none was of silver, for silver “was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon” (2 Chronicles 9:20). Even when the queen of Sheba came “to test Solomon with hard questions, having a very great retinue, camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones” (2 Chronicles 9:1). And wealth was not everything, for the Bible says Solomon “loved many foreign women” (1 Kings 11:1). Of course, that is an understatement, for “he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines” (1 Kings 11:3). A total of a thousand women! And that became the major factor in his downfall — “and his wives turned away his heart” from God (1 Kings 11:3).

But Was Solomon Happy?

Being king, Solomon could do just about anything he so desired, and that is precisely what he set out to do. He wrote about those things in the book of Ecclesiastes. He experimented with almost everything under the sun, he built temples and elaborate houses, he planted gardens and vineyards ((Ecclesiastes 2). He stated, “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them, I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure” ((Ecclesiastes 2:10). In view of all of this, from the world’s viewpoint, Solomon must have been the happiest man who ever lived. Wrong! Unfortunately, Solomon was miserable. Notice what he stated — “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind” ((Ecclesiastes 2:17).

Now Let’s Consider the Apostle Paul

If there ever was a man who appeared to have every right to be miserable, it would have been Paul. Although a highly educated man, when necessary, he gladly made a living working with his hands making tents. He did much traveling under adverse conditions by foot or by ship. His life was one of constant danger and peril. Paul cataloged many of his sufferings, beatings, imprisonments, perils and anxieties in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28. Also, there was a great deal of worldly honor that Paul was willing to give up and consider rubbish “for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:4-11). Then, on top of all that has just been mentioned, Paul had a serious physical ailment which he referred to as “a thorn in the flesh...a messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Yet Paul Was Happy!

True abiding joy and happiness today are not derived from earthly wealth, position, sexual freedom, or unlimited power. It comes as a result of becoming a Christian (Acts 8:39). And as a faithful Christian and true servant of the Lord, Paul was a contented man. A “contented” man is a happy man! Please observe some of Paul’s statements concerning this matter: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content...Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, 11). Did Paul know something about happiness that Solomon didn’t? No, Solomon knew it, but ignored it, and it ruined his life. As an old man, he made this statement about life: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Conclusion

All children of God can and should be “rejoicing Christians” (Philippians 4:4). Think of all the joys and blessings that are ours as His children. We enjoy all the spiritual blessings which are in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). We enjoy the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). We have the hope of heaven which is an anchor to our souls (Hebrews 6:18-19). Thus, true happiness is obeying and faithfully serving God. If you practice this in your life, you will rejoice; if you choose to ignore this, then the results will be much like that of Solomon. If you have not obeyed the gospel of Christ and are not faithfully serving the Master, we plead with you to start doing so now (2 Corinthians 6:2).