More money does not bring more happiness says a report commissioned for the BBC. Britain is less happy now than in the 1950’s – despite the fact that we are three times richer. Becoming richer may even be making us less happy and content.

John D. Rockefeller, Snr, had made his first million dollars by the age of 33. At the age of 43 he controlled the biggest business in the world. At 53 he became the world’s first billionaire. But sadly through working day and night his health broke down and the richest man on earth was reduced to eating only crackers and milk! At this low point his attitude towards money changed and he cheerfully began to think about how much he could give away instead of how much he could keep. From then on his health steadily improved and he lived to be 98!

Perhaps without realising it Rockefeller had proved these words of Jesus to be true when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [ Acts 20:35 ] The word ‘blessed’ means ‘happy’ which is what God wants us to be. Over 200 years ago a doctor told Henry Venn, the vicar of Huddersfield, that he only had about three weeks to live. The soul of this dear man was so full of love for Jesus that the prospect of seeing Him in heaven filled him with such joy that his life was prolonged by six months! Like Rockefeller he too proved a Bible text to be true. This one says, “A merry heart does good like a medicine!” [ Proverbs 17:22 ] Sixty years ago hospital visiting was very restricted but today it’s encouraged because doctors have realised that the ‘merry medicine’ of visitation helps to aid recovery. Statistics show that a living faith in God is conducive to long life and happiness!