The American Dream, in Many Ways, Stands in Contrast to the Word of God!

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” -Mark 8:36

We have all been raised up in this country to chase our dreams, to be successful so that we might live high on the hog.

If we reach what we call success here, then we have, in essence, created a world with no need of the Living God.  For those that might not yet fully understand, it would be little to do with the Lord and a whole lot to do with the world.

“What is the value of this estate?" said a gentleman to another, as they passed a fine mansion surrounded by fair and fertile fields. “I don’t know what it is valued at; I know what it cost its late possessor.” “How much?” “His soul!”

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” -Matthew 6:24

MAM'MON - Riches; wealth; or the god of riches. -Websters 1828 Dictionary

Yet, in America, this is what we are taught to do in seeking a better way of life, and that life consists of what we possess.

Don’t get me wrong here, there is nothing wrong with wealth within itself.  Yet, it becomes an issue when we put riches before the Lord (Matthew 6:33).

Friends, it is not like we can take what we gain here with us when we die.  Paul said:

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” -1 Timothy 6:7

Nobody warned of covetousness more than Jesus.

Covetousness- A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; usually in a bad sense, and applied to an inordinate desire of wealth or avarice.-Websters 1828 Dictionary

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” -Luke 12:15-21

Beware of covetousness. As men trample each other down in the pursuit of wealth. Be not deceived.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” -1 Timothy 6:10

“Adversity has slain her thousands, but prosperity her tens of thousands.”-Thomas Brooks

Men too often forget the Lord in their riches (Deuteronomy 8:11-18).

Remember, some of the wealthiest people in the world are so poor because all that they have is money.

In conclusion: Friends, I say in short biblical order, lose the world and gain your soul.