Let me tell you what is wrong with the world.  Look at children.  Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do.  Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside?  Children don't usually act in such a manner.  If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished.  They can still play with the person the following day.  For me, that is the honest, natural way for basic human nature to act in such situations.

In the Buddhist approach, wordly happiness is based on what we call the four excellences: the Dharma, wealth, nirvana, and satisfaction.  Nirvana, or freedom from suffering, is the ultimate goal.  The satisfaction achieved from a successful temporal life is just a transient goal.  The teachings are the means to achieve ultimate inner freedom, whereas money and wealth facilitate worldly happiness, temporary satisfaction.  One strives to achieve that which is positive for all beings.  To do so, one must attend to both ultimate and temporary goals.  Well being and money belong to the latter category.  In fact, Buddhist texts mention the fruition of eight qualities including wealth, health, and fame that define a “fortunate” human existence. 

To enjoy even temporary happiness, however, one must first have peace of mind.  Next comes health, then good companions, and then money, in that order, though of course all four aspects are connected.  For example, when we had to escape from Tibet, our first priority was to save our lives.  Being penniless was secondary.  If one is alive, it is always possible to make friends and earn money.  Peace of mind must come first.  Peace of mind generally attracts prosperity.  Certainly someone who has peaceful of mind will use his or her money judiciously.

The mind is key.  If anything should be considered a god, so to speak, it is the mind, not money.  A healthy positive mind is the utmost priority.  But if we were to reverse the order of these priorities, what would happen?  I find it hard to imagine how a person with great wealth, bad health, no friends, and no peace of mind could feel even slightly happy.