Processing The American Dream As Christians

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” – Matthew 10:29

Sparrows still fall.

The American dream is the idea that America offers a “better life,” consisting of freedom, wealth, safety, and happiness. Despite its positive impression, it is something that has deranged our views on Christianity in extreme and saddening ways.

Yahweh never promised happiness, comfort, or safety; rather He offers a hope and joy in the middle of the storm. I have recently discovered how similar the Jews’ interpretation of the Messiah was (and is) to our interpretation of the American dream in relation to Christianity.

The Jews were (and are) waiting for the Messiah…a warrior to deliver them from their oppressors. They forgot, like we so often do, that Jesus did not come to end earthly trials, but to offer us peace amid the suffering.

The Jews’ Expectations of the Messiah

To understand the reason behind the Jews’ interpretation of the Messianic prophecies we must go all the way back to the city of Haran where we find a man named Abram.

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; ²and I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; ³and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”—Genesis 12:1-3

I will make you into a great nation.

This was the beginning of Jewish history. Abram became Abraham, the great grandfather of Joseph, who, through a series of unplanned events, caused the entire lineage of Abraham to move to Egypt. Thus, setting the stage for the enslavement of the children of Israel in Moses’ time.

And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.

Egypt was not the Israelite’s only encounter with captivity. They had constant enemies, including the Babylonians, Assyrians, and, eventually, the Romans.

It is fair to say that they likely felt “cursed” daily. Living under such poverty and constant suffering it is not only reasonable but logical that they would assume the Messiah would be a warrior. A King come to save them from captivity. (Isaiah 9)

They forgot, like we so often do, that Jesus did not come to end earthly trials, but to offer us peace amid the suffering. (John 16:33)

Our Expectations of Life as Christians

A recent survey (given to believers and nonbelievers alike) was done in 2020 by Lifeway to see what the average American was most thankful for. In said survey, 89% responded with family, 69% responded with health, 63% responded with friends. Concerning the slightly lower stats, 42% said opportunities, 33% said achievements, and 21% said wealth.

Our culture has become absorbed with earthly things. We are seeking happiness in relationships with people, who will one day die; in our well-being, which will one day fade; in the things we accomplish, which will one day be forgotten; and in the money that we have in our pockets, which will one day no longer matter.

This completely befuddles our mindset as Christians; giving us the perspective and idea that life is meant to be spent chasing down things that will only fade away.

What the Bible Says In Relation to the Mindset of the American Dream

Let’s take another look at Matthew 10:29

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

Yes. Sparrows will fall. In fact, currently, they are considered an endangered bird. Think on that for a minute.

We have a tendency to mix up verses and interpret them in ways that make us feel better; safer; happier; more comfortable. All of which are closely connected to our desires in relation to the American dream.

Sparrows fall. We’ll fall.

There will be trials and battles and wounds. God did not send His only Son to this lowly earth to pull us out of our oppression, but rather to give us hope despite it.

To save us from ourselves.

Because, without guidance and patience and grace, we would be fated to a lifetime wasted by worthless dreams and fading words.

It is a sad end to what could have been a beautiful story.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

So, I ask you…

Where is your heart?