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Secrets of the Kingdom Life  /  Chapter 36: Does this Mean no Possessions  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 8
The “American dream” is defined as “personal happiness and material comfort,” and Bercot calls pursuing it “nearly always” a spiritual nightmare; what signs does he list that possessions have become a master, and which of those signs are easiest for Christians (including church leaders) to excuse as “normal adult responsibility”?
Another way to ask: Bercot says the “American dream” of comfort and happiness is usually a spiritual trap. What signs does he give that possessions are controlling you, and which signs are easiest for Christians (and leaders) to excuse as just being responsible adults?

Direct Answer Bercot says possessions become a master when they start driving debt, work hours, and spiritual neglect—pushing “things of the kingdom” into the background until “Jesus gets pushed farther and farther into the corner.” These signs are often excused as normal adulthood because they look like providing for a family.

Support from Transcript:

  • The pattern: “A smaller house gives way to a larger one…Older appliances give way to more modern ones,” showing endless upgrading.
  • “Soon…going into debt to purchase things they lack the money to buy,” a clear marker of being ruled by possessions.
  • “They start viewing certain items as necessities,” though they “viewed those same items as luxuries not that long ago.”
  • “Before long, they’re owned by things,” and then specifics: “Things dictate how long the husband works each week.”
  • “Things control how much time…for prayer and devotional reading…Things have become their master.”
  • Outcome language: “Living the American dream nearly always becomes a spiritual nightmare…Jesus gets pushed farther…into the corner.”
Discussion Follow-ups Which of these indicators can hide behind respectable words like “responsibility” or “wise planning”? What would repentance look like before it becomes a full “spiritual nightmare”?

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