…..The American Dream

The term “the American dream” was first used in 1931 in a book by James Truslow Adams. In it he said, “The American dream is a dream of that land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

The phrase was picked up and used during the Great Depression to give hope to people facing an incredibly difficult time. It resonated with that same kind of expectation found in Jesus’ mission statement:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18, 19

So there was this synergy between the two; the American dream and Jesus’ mission interlaced nicely. But through a series of assumptions and cultural shifts, things aren’t aligned as they once were.

The American dream has come to promote a view that says:

I worked hard. I earned it. And it’s mine to do with as I please.

That doesn’t sound outrageous. But within it is the assumption that hard work will bring wealth and a comfortable life. That’s not true for everyone in America; and it’s certainly not true around the world, where many work very hard just to stay alive, not to make wealth.

During the Great Depression, there was the idea of working together - not generosity because I’m wealthy, but generosity because you are in more need. It made a way for another person. Now something has gone wrong. Generosity has left the dream.

Why is it so uncomfortable to teach about generosity, giving, and money in the church? It’s because of perceptions and stereotypes. There are three basic ways that today’s church talks about money and giving:

- We need to keep the lights & heat on.
- If you give, you will get more wealth.
- Guilt.

You cannot inspire generosity with that kind of preaching. It’s a Kingdom value. Generosity is a privilege for a Christ-follower, not a responsibility.

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about investing in His Kingdom. The “story of the talents” lays out three key truths that are the foundation of Kingdom generosity:

- It’s not our money, it’s God’s.
The master in the story represents Jesus. The servants are you and me. God has given us talents (money & abilities). Everything belongs to and comes from Him.

- We’re entrusted with it, not entitled to it.
The master in the parable entrusted his money to his servants, expecting that each will use the resources wisely.

- God expects us to invest it in His Kingdom.
The servants had equal opportunity to invest what they were given to further their master’s kingdom. Two of them doubled what they were given, and received the same praise and reward. The third servant buried what he was given, didn’t use it at all. The master called him wicked & lazy.

No matter if you have a lot or a little, God is pleased when we invest in His Kingdom.

You don’t have to be rich to be generous. It’s about the heart, not the wallet.

When we’re faithful with what God has given us, He gives us even more. It’s not for the American dream’s sake. It’s so we can do more, not so we can have more.

But if we don’t use what He’s given us, eventually He’ll take it away. And I wonder if that’s what’s happening today in our world. The American dream does not relate to the poor; we’re too busy working for our dream, without thought to investing in others, in the Kingdom.

It’s not wrong to pursue better lives for our children or ourselves – the American dream can mesh with Kingdom living when we also pursue a better life for others.

Will we choose to follow Jesus into the harder places of life?
Will we include the poor in our personal American dream?
Generosity is not about what or how much we give; it’s about who we are.

 

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