For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Psalm 96:5
The American Dream is a concept that advocates the belief that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. Popularized during the Great Depression in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, the notion of the American Dream instilled hope into those that had lost everything. The precepts behind what is still used to encourage and motivate success encompasses ideals of freedom, homeownership and a better life for the next generation. All good and noble things, the American Dream throughout the years has not only changed lives and families, but also our nation through hard work and perseverance.
At the root of the American Dream is capitalism whereby a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit. Simply put, capitalism is a system that rewards those who put forth the most effort and ideas regardless of who they are or where they come from. At least that’s the idealistic intention.
The biggest enemy to capitalism is not socialism, communism, fascism, environmental concerns or inequality. The antagonist that is able to misconstrue the idea of capitalism is the nature of man. Without Christ, the prime motivators of mankind are greed, pride and fear. Therefore capitalism must exist within the parameters of Biblical Christianity in order to avoid becoming what all other ideologies have and will eventually turn into.
At the root, sinful man’s desires lie within their lusts. Lust for power, money and fame lead to a propensity to lie, cheat and steal in order to achieve what culture too often defines as success. A moral compass is sacrificed for more and the subjugation of fellow man becomes just a part of the greater process. Continuing on this course, the majority of the population becomes occupied with simply getting by, redefining their idea of the American Dream and accepting their perceived reality that things are just the way they are. All this while a select few build empires based in power, greed and the pride of man.
However, with Christ and the Biblical Truthes found in Scripture, everything changes because of the fundamental heart change we experience. Our perception of wealth, success and service drastically adapt to reflect the heart of Christ. Corruption is replaced by compassion, greed is overshadowed by grace and pride is exchanged for principle.
God never wavers from His position of Creator and Master of all things. The change comes when individuals, through the leading of the Holy Spirit choose to surrender and submit to the Lordship of Christ. What truly matters and the very motivation to do things moves from self to Savior. The American Dream which continually runs the risk of becoming a god to many, becomes the means to further the Kingdom of God.
In a world that constantly presses its fallen standards upon us, the only way we can keep living a God honoring life is by dying to ourselves and yielding to the grace that the Father gives to all who call upon His name. This brings a heart change that then brings a change to the motivating factors we base our decisions upon. The American Dream for a born-again believer then becomes one of glorifying Christ, loving others, stewardship and service.
Is the American dream the god of this nation? Sadly, for many it is. But because of Christ, it doesn’t have to be.
Jason Metz, Lead Pastor
