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Will earning more money or meeting the perfect love make you happy? In the first chapter of the book, "The Pursuit of Happiness," CIMIO Missionary Kim Sung-won, author of *The River of God* and a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) missionary, [addresses] this question. True happinessIt asks where this comes from. In this article, I will summarize the contents of that chapter into four key points.

1. Happiness was a gift, not something to be won. Aristotle used the term 'eudaimonia' to mean happiness, which implies that happiness is a benevolent gift bestowed by the gods. Just as the English word 'happy' comes from 'hap,' meaning 'luck' or 'chance,' and the German word 'Glück' encompasses both luck and happiness, for people of the past, happiness was something to be 'given' rather than 'acquired.' The missionary contrasts this with today's attitude of trying to conquer happiness by planning and strategizing for it.

True happiness, money, and blessings

2. Money is useful but not omnipotent The book describes money as "value in a condensed form." Money provides small joys like a cup of coffee, resolves trivial problems, and helps one escape poverty. However, it cannot guarantee good relationships or health, nor can it exempt one from legal liability. The missionary introduces Paul’s exhortation to the wealthy not to be arrogant, not to rely on wealth, and to be generous (1 Timothy 6:17–19), along with Paul’s confession that he learned to be content in any circumstance (Philippians 4:11–13).

3. The True Meaning of 'Bok' The missionary states that the most fundamental difference between Christianity and animism, which regards gods as tools to bring prosperity, love, safety, and health, lies in the 'ultimate goal.' The ultimate purpose of Christianity is not human comfort but the glory of God, and the idea that giving to God brings back money and healing is not the Gospel. Jesus said that "the poor in spirit," "those who mourn," and "the meek" are blessed (Matthew 5:3–10). This means that even if they have not succeeded by worldly standards, they are already blessed simply by belonging to the Kingdom of God.

The happiness that comes when you let go of happiness

4. Happiness Comes as a Gift When You Let Go — Paradoxically, the book states that those who obsess over happiness often live unhappily, while those who serve, give to, and sacrifice for others are the ones who discover true happiness. The missionary’s confession that he felt deeply loved by God even during the days when he worried about his next meal as an unpaid minister adds weight to this message. Just as the scripture says, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25), the conclusion is that true happiness is not something to be achieved, but something to be accepted.

The missionary continues to explore the same question on Instagram @cimio.korean, sharing the reflection that “one can gain worldly wealth and honor yet feel empty inside.” Mrs. Lauren plans CIMIO’s Korean, English, French, and Italian Instagram channels and YouTube lecture content, and manages Korean-English comment exchanges to help the message of *The River of God* reach more readers.

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