It is not by accident that Jesus begins his teaching concerning the road to lasting happiness with poverty of Spirit. There is a false assumption in our consumeristic society that material possessions will provide happiness. Jesus counters this assumption with a paradoxical truth. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” When we are possessed by our possession, then how can we be happy? The reality is that we will never be satisfied, because we want more. Such was the case of the rich young man in the Gospel narrative. He came to Jesus seeking ultimate happiness, eternal life. But because he was possessed by his possessions he could not take the first step. We must ask ourselves what possesses us, God or something else? Until God is whom we desire the most, we will fill our life with other than God.