A New Jersey university is launching what it called the world’s first “Master of Arts in Happiness Studies,” and it only costs $17,500 for the 18 month program.

I don’t know for sure, but I am guessing that in the program you are supposed to learn what will make you happy in life. The Bible can tell me that for free, and I am sure it will work much better than the information in the University study program.

Psalms 128:1-2 How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.

Jesus preached what is called “the sermon on the Mount,” also called the “Beatitudes.” This sermon could also be called “How to be Happy in Eight Easy Ways.” Let me paraphrase four of them.

Those who are gracious in their speech, who work hard to be kind and gentle in how they deal with a problem or difficulty with another person so as not hurt or offend them will be extremely happy in life.

The person who wants to be righteous and holy in all that they do, and diligently pursues a righteous lifestyle will be very happy.

A person who can’t stand being at odds with another person and does everything possible to reconcile with anybody who is angry or upset with them will be as happy as a duck on a pond.

Anybody who forgives anyone of anything because Jesus has forgiven them of everything will be filled to overflowing with happiness.

Now that didn’t take 18 months to learn in our head, but it probably will take much longer than 18 months to learn in our heart so we actually live it.