You Can’t Take It with You is a Pulitzer Prize–winning comedy that invites us into the wonderfully eccentric Vanderhof–Sycamore household, a family that values joy, creativity, and connection over wealth or status. Written in 1936 during the Great Depression, the play offered hope and laughter to audiences weary of hardship, reminding them that true success isn’t found in possessions but in purpose and love. Its themes of non-conformity, anti-materialism, and redefining the American Dream continue to resonate today, speaking directly to our fast-paced culture where burnout and comparison often overshadow joy. In many ways, the play reflects biblical truth—echoing Matthew 6:19–21’s call to store up treasures in heaven, Romans 12:2’s reminder not to conform to the world, and 1 Corinthians 13’s command to put love above all.
You Can’t Take It With You