The American Dream vs. Biblical Contentment

The American dream is life, liberty, and the pursuit of money. It has to be because that’s how society works. Money makes this world go round. Despite that being so, the Christian should have a higher aspiration.

Money promises us a house, a good car, nice clothes, and societal status. It can give what the world calls “success,” and yet true success is something the money-loving world sees as an enemy: contentment. They don’t want you to be content with your car, your house, your iPhone, your clothes, or even your looks. This is because discontentment is the lifeblood of advertising. They need your money—so they will rock your boat until you abandon it and get their product. And so, we are barraged by advertising from every side telling us that we need more, bigger, and better. That’s the way the world works, and for you to be content throws a wrench in their money-making machine.

David, as the king of Israel, had known material success, and yet he said, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Wanting is the thief of contentment. We may possess possessions, but we must be careful to ensure that they don’t possess us. Listen to Scripture hold up the ideal of contentment while at the same time warning of the pain that inevitably comes with want:

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

I was very fortunate to have the “contentment revelation” when I was 20 years old—two years before I came to faith in Jesus. I was successful materially and could see that if I wanted more, I would be chasing the wind. Around that time, a retired businessman came into my business and, seeing its potential for growth, soberly said two words: “Stay small.”

“Wanting is the thief of contentment. We may possess possessions, but we must be careful to ensure that they don’t possess us.”

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Such advice is the opposite of the American dream. It is against innovating, growing, spending, thinking big, and having vision. But I could see that growing bigger would enslave me, while staying small would ensure my freedom. I found that to be true two years later when I came to faith in Jesus. My freedom meant that I could serve God unhindered.

Matthew Henry said, “He is much happier that is always content, though he has ever so little, than he that is always coveting, though he has ever so much.”

There are, however, obvious advantages to gaining wealth. You get the cool car, the nice house, and of course the knowledge that your healthy bank account means that you are shored up for the future. But wealth doesn’t come easy. It means sacrificing time with your wife and children. But there is the consolation that all the money you gain by giving more time to your work can be used for your very expensive divorce settlement.