This comment may be taking it too far. The American Dream is not about "gaining the whole world" (except for a handful at the top). No doubt, Materialism is a serious problem for many, but regardless of financial status, all human beings need to be saved, and those are are saved should (ideally) also be saved from Materialism.
Agreed. A bit sensationalist, in that it takes the American Dream (a concept generally understood to be positive) and renders it bereft of all positive effects.
The real complication in discussing the issue of prosperity and the church comes when you consider the plight of the lower classes. There's a reason why the prosperity message hit home so well with African-Americans in the US. They wanted a better life than living in the projects. I do think scripture teaches to be content with food and clothing and to focus primarily on spiritual things whenever necessary. But to eliminate the possibility of bettering one's standard of living while still living for Christ seems a bit harsh. We will meet a number of men (and women) who were rich in their lives on earth when we get to Heaven, which means it is certainly not an impossible thing for a rich man to live this life while still putting God first.
@Alert: So we are defining terms properly, this is the Wikipedia definition of the American Dream. I listened to the first few minutes of your teaching and agree in part, but I think you are going to extremes as well (possibly deliberately, to draw attention, which is partly beneficial but partly also a misrepresentation of the whole truth).
The
American Dream is a national
ethos of the
United States, the set of ideals (democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity and equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as an upward
social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. In the definition of the American Dream by
James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of
social class or circumstances of birth.