We just completed Amazon Prime Days. Every day we shopped online and clicked through all the things we needed… like a new Apple watch… new shoes… new insulated cups… more new shoes… a new outfit to go with the new shoes…. because we NEEDED them. (Full disclosure — As I’m writing this, I’m awaiting our mail carrier to deliver a new pair of walking shoes to my door. I needed them.)
I remember as I was growing up, the influence others had on what I thought was important to have. I needed the right clothes and shoes and school binder so I could fit in. But even before that, as children, don’t you remember needing the newest gift or gadget each Christmas? When our daughter was a baby, the toy to have was a Cabbage Patch doll. We needed her to have one, or two. Or did we? Then we moved on to Beanie Babies. Apparently we needed a bucket full of those.
I also remember having the conversation with our children that went something like this: Child: “Mom… I need this _______. Everybody has one.” Me: “Do you need it or do you just want it?” Big difference.
As adults, the same lesson applies. Do I really need those new ______ (see the list above). Almost always, the answer is no. There is no harm in buying what you truly need. Especially when it’s on sale! Go for the bargain. It’s fine. There is no harm in splurging from time to time and enjoying an extravagance. The problem comes when that is our everyday mindset.
It’s helpful to come back to the list of what we truly need:
A relationship with Jesus
Sufficient food
Water
Clothing
Shelter.
Stop one second — please note the first thing on the list. We definitely NEED a relationship with Jesus first. Everything else is secondary and puts everything else we need or want into perspective.
I enjoy watching reality shows about man vs. nature. It demonstrates what is truly needed for survival — fire, water, shelter and food. The fact is, God knows what we need and gives us those things as we need them. He reminds us that in our drive to want more, it always leads to greed — not being satisfied with what we have and the persistent desire to want more… and more… never ending.
Maybe it starts with counting our blessings. When have you last listed all you have and thanked God for each thing? Maybe the answer to understanding the difference between need and want simply starts with gratitude. What do you think?
“Recognizing the difference between our needs and wants allows us to cultivate gratitude, contentment, and a deeper faith reliance on God’s provision.” https://biblestudyforyou.com/bible-verses-about-needs-and-wants/
Wednesday in the Word
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” – Matthew 6:31-32
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 836
Good Question(s) of the Week: What do you really need in your life right now?
Good Words from Unseen People
From Unseen People, p. 80, The Race of a Lifetime. This time of year, for several years in a row, our local She Is Safe Advocacy team hosted the annual 5k, Run to the Dark. As I was reading this story, I was reminded of some of what is needed in life…
“But the race of a lifetime continues… to race to the darkness to bring light, bring health, bring hope.”
Read the rest of the story! Please click the book cover below to get your copy of Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations. It is available in Kindle, paperback, hardback, and audio versions.
GOOD WORDS I RECOMMEND
Photo: She Is Safe
A Good Book: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann Voskamp. “It's only in the expression of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted . . . a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others.”
A Good Song: Jesus I Need You, Hillsong
Another Good Song: Lord, I Need You, Matt Maher
A Good Blog: A Good Word Wednesday #68 Enough. I’ve written about the concept of want and need before in this Good Word. Take a minute to revisit it.
A FINAL GOOD WORD
“Lord, I need You, oh I need You. Every hour I need You. My one defense, my righteousness, oh God, how I need you.” These lyrics to “Lord, I Need You” say it all. That’s my prayer for all of us this week — Oh Lord, lead us to the place in our life that we know without doubt that You are all we need.”
Please share this Good Word with others!
Gratefully yours,
