As a college student in the United States, money is a big deal. It seems to be an issue on everyone’s mind—we don’t have any of it, we owe a ton of it, we’re constantly working to earn it, and we’re oh-so-worried that our careers won’t churn out enough of it in the future. We seem to base so many important life decisions around the all-powerful questions “How much will I make?” and “How much will it cost?” Money is definitely important—pretty much everyone agrees about that—but it’s not everything. In our society, wealth and the status that accompanies it are lauded as the ultimate goal of life, the literal “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow that everyone is desperately seeking. However, as singer Bing Crosby croons in one of his classic songs, “The best things in life are free.”
Next time you’re tempted to glorify money as an end-all and be-all, remind yourself of these five things that can’t be purchased.
1. Friendship
Friendship is one of life’s most beautiful gifts. True friends are the people who have seen you at your best and your worst and yet still care about you enough to stick around, the people that comfort you in times of grief and celebrate with you in times of joy, and the people that you can turn to when you don’t know where else to go. “Friendships” based on wealth or power will wither and die as soon as the wealthy or powerful person faces a change in circumstances, because their “friends” are only out for selfish gain. Genuine friendships, though, they are not determined by social status or financial security. They are built to last a lifetime.
2. Love
If humanity had to settle on one thing that makes life worthwhile, love would probably be the top contender. Our lives seem empty and valueless without it. Love comes in all forms—from the bond between a mother and her child to the romance between husband and wife. But no matter what shape it takes, love is always offered freely. It cannot be bought, sold, or traded. Instead, it flows straight from our hearts.
3. Happiness
We’ve all heard the saying “Money can’t buy happiness.” It’s true. Our wealth and possessions may make us fleetingly happy for a little while, but that kind of happiness is a fleeting emotion that passes as quickly as it arrives. True happiness is an overflow of a deep, abiding joy that has nothing to do with how rich or prestigious we are. It is grounded in the fullness of our lives rather than their glamor. We can find joy in the simplest of moments, from a quiet walk in the park to a baby’s first smile to a glass of cold water on a hot day. Although these things may seem small and inconsequential, they are really part of the beautiful fabric of our lives, and they prove that joy is not dependent on how much money we have, but rather on how well we appreciate what we have been given.
4. Faith
Our faith is central to our identities. Without God, I would be lost and directionless. I would have no source of enduring light and hope. Faith in Jesus Christ is both beautiful and astounding because it is based upon the absolutely free gift of love and forgiveness that He offers us. What’s more, this indescribable gift is offered to everyone—rich and poor, young and old. We are all equally loved and cherished in God’s sight, regardless of how the world views us. Wow. That’s an assurance worth more than all the gold in the world.
5. Peace
People everywhere long for peace—both between those who are fighting each other and within our own hearts. In a world teeming with so much doubt and uncertainty, it’s easy to live a life filled with stress and worry. Peace allows us to embrace every day for its own beauty and opportunity without regretting the past or feeling overwhelmed by the future. While some people blow entire fortunes trying to find a “cure” for their restless and uneasy hearts, genuine peace is not something that can be purchased. Instead, it is the natural product of lives filled with joy, love, friendship, and faith.
As you can see, the most meaningful and lasting things in life cannot be bought or bargained for. They flow from somewhere much deeper than our bank account or even the National Treasury. They are far more precious than our most expensive treasures, and they will outlast the decay of all our material possessions. When everything else fades, these things will endure.
