China's richest man – Jack Ma – has openly stated that he is not happy with his new riches. He admits that he thought that after Alibaba IPO'd that it would be different. He discovered instead, he says, that the fame and responsibility was just a "great pain."
The article also mentions that he "tries to make himself happy, because he knows his colleagues, shareholders," etc. – depend on him being happy. How sad. Many others today need to hear his honest evaluation of his life now. It is not as glorious as it seems – and as many other rich people have discovered, riches often only lead to an unhappy life and depression.
Ma's statements are clearly those of people in the world. The Bible, God's Book, shows those who read it a different way to be happy. In fact, it is exactly opposite of what the world thinks.
God's way of making us happy is not only different, it is the exact opposite of the world's way. Here are some examples:
The world says: In order to be happy you must do your own thing; God says: Obey Him for happiness – “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17).
The world says: You gotta work hard and get all you can in order to be happy: Jesus says: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
The world says to live the way you want and don't let anyone tell you what to do; God says through Paul: “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth" (Romans 14:22).
The world says that happiness comes from doing what you want; God says it comes from knowing Him in salvation and being close to Him – “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11).
The world looks for happiness from without – by the things you do; God says it comes from within – because that is where you meet with Him!
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior today, then you cannot have real joy. It is not the same thing as fun. You have the guilt of sin, and your heart is not right with Him. This results in not being able to communicate with Him. You need to ask Him for forgiveness and salvation.
Christian, if you have been seeking the wrong riches, or trying to be happy by doing your own will – it won't work. Why not confess this to Him for forgiveness and cleansing and ask Him to help you live for Him starting right now. Happiness is a by-product that comes from being close to God – it can never be a goal that satisfies when sought directly.
* * * * * * *
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/alibaba-jack-ma-isnt-happy-being-rich-2014-11
* * * * * * *
Photo Credit: Unchanged; from https://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/6355388579
* * * * * * *
Keywords: how to be happy, happiness, happy, riches, to be happy, jack ma, unhappy, goal in life, close to God, joy, Jesus Christ, do your own thing, depression