The dream of many singles is to be happily married, with 2 to 4 children, living in a nice house, two cars and maybe even a dog. A lot of people pursue this image of success that is spread by the media, but is this really what God wants for you?

It all began with the American Revolution, with the idea that all men are equal and all have the opportunity to own a piece of land if they put in the effort. Possession of land eventually changed to the possession of a house. Then, with the arrival of the consumer age, the symbol of success also included getting lots of material possessions. All of these are human philosophies, and not inspired by God.

God doesn’t want us to have a miserable life either. He has nothing against the riches of the world, as long as those riches do not take His place in our hearts. The prayer of Agur in Proverbs 30.8b-9 (NIV) gives us a good description of what we should desire. “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Jesus also gave us a good desire in Matthew 6.33 (NIV) : “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When we discover God’s calling for our life, why God put us on this Earth, and how our talents and spiritual gifts can build his Kingdom, our dreams become very different. We dream about success in our calling. Our material possessions become a means to fulfill God’s plan in our lives.

Those who cherish the “American dream” are often the people that have not yet found their calling in God. Working hard to achieve worldly success is simply a waste of time and energy. All that you acquire through your hard work can be taken away and destroyed by the enemy, but everything that comes from God is not within his reach. If you haven’t yet discovered your calling, make it your priority. God promises that “Everything else will be given to you as well”.