The Bible speaks greatly and quite clearly about greed and what happens when it begins to control our lives. The rich man inherits the earth. The poor man goes to heaven - so to speak.

Isaiah 8:1 refers to a son named "Maher-Shalal-Hash- Baz". His name means "quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil". In today's terms, that we could define that as meaning those who center their lives around material/worldly things will eventually see it destruct and possibly destruct themselves.

Greed, lust, love of money - they all go together. In this consumer-driven society, we all want more, more, more. That is why most people are in credit debt, losing their homes, jobs and more recently their will to live. It all centers around their initial desires of self-consciously deciding to love the world over God, choosing things over people, wanting more rather than being content with what one has.

Our country was built on freedom. Freedom of speech, religion, freedom to make something of oneself, freedom to be whoever one desires to be - the possibilities are limitless. These are all such wonderful gifts, but these days we must take a look around and wonder - have we taken this freedom for granted?

Look back...just two years ago, many of us had the "American Dream".  A 3 bedroom home with a white picket fence, 2 car garage, 2 cars, big screen TV, large back and front yard, double income, children in private schools....Wait! Let's look at that again. Is that really the American dream? It doesn't take a second glance to realize all of those things that have been categorized within the stereotypical "American Dream" are all material things. What does that say about us?

I believe we need to take a look at our economy and refer back to Isaiah. Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz! Unless we do something about our focus of our dreams, history will continue to repeat itself and we will continue to spoil our lives.

Let's redefine what the "American Dream". It could be about family, relationships, travel, culture - things that define who we are and what we are about. Think about this - if we change our idea on what this 'dream' is, we not only will change what is going on in our economy today, but also create a brighter, better future for those ahead. Don't they deserve it, if we don't?