“All men seek happiness. This is without exception.” – Blaise Pascal

“The accumulation of goods is at an all-time high; but so is the number of people who feel an emptiness in their lives.” – Al Gore

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dream of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey

“Happiness is more than simply a positive mood, happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life – that is, with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction.” – Psychology Today

Psalm 1 ESV – Blessed is the man[a]
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 37:4 ESV – Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Matthew 6:31-33 ESV – Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Happiness is found indirectly – not directly.

“Aim and heaven and you get earth thrown in, but aim at earth and you get neither.” – C.S. Lewis

Romans 13:9a NIV – “and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself…Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

“Happiness is only real when shared.” – Chris McCandless

Mark 9:35 NIV – Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

“I know all these things are supposed to seem important to us—the car, the condo, our version of success—but if that’s the case, why is the general feeling out there reflecting more impotence and isolation and desperation and loneliness?…. I don’t have those answers yet. The emphasis now is on success and personal gain. [smiles] I’m sitting in it, and I’m telling you, that’s not it. I’m the guy who’s got everything. I know. But I’m telling you, once you’ve got everything, then you’re just left with yourself. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it doesn’t help you sleep any better, and you don’t wake up any better because of it.” –Brad Pitt

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 NLT – “I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. What good does it do to seek pleasure?….After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.”

Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 NLT – I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!

Ecclesiastes 2:9-11a NLT – So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Acts 20:35b NIV – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”