Wants Vs Needs

Needs Versus Wants-This is a thought that has been rolling around in my
mind, off and on, for a couple of years. That is that what we people may see
as "needs" may be, in the eyes of God, mere "wants". However, that is not to
to say that He never give us our "wants" along with our "needs".

There are some things that I , and everybody else, "need". The most
important one is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which only comes
by being born-again. Simply and bluntly put, it is a matter of heaven or
hell. To be born-again is pretty simple.  All I did to become born-again was
to have another born-again Christian pray with me. And not in church either.
In a hospital room.

Another thing that I , and everybody , "need" is air to breathe. No doubt,
because of our "civilized" world, the air that we breathe now has not the
same quality as the air way back when. But, the main thing is that it is
keeping us alive. Without air, we all would be in BIG trouble!

We all "need" food and water to survive. However, I suspect that something
that is a basic "need" has, in affluent countries like ours, turned more
into a "want". Instead of eating to live, we, and I include myself, are now
eating for pleasure. At times, too much and/or food that is not good for the
body.

I need clothing. So does everybody. Especially when we live in a place that
gets to -40! But, like with food, our "need" for clothing has changed more
into a "want" as we aren't happy with the basic clothing that we "need" but
"want" the latest fashion.

Money. I debated whether to include money as a "need". But I do "need" money
to pay my rent in this place. I have no idea what they would do with me if I
couldn't pay it. Obviously, money is more of a "need" now than when people
could barter with sheep and chickens! The question is how much is money we
actually "need" to live on or for doing what God wants and how much we
"want" for bigger houses, fancier cars, trips, etc.

Then there are those things that are not "needs" in the sense that I
wouldn't be able to go on living without them but that are very important to
both God and myself. Included in this category is my healing. I have no idea
of the ramifications but I do know that it is important to God simply
because He promised it and He is not going to promise something that is not
important to Him. As for me, well who wouldn't want to get healed? Besides,
how can I do what God wants me to do if I can't do anything?

Going to church is also included in this category. I know that the local
church is important to God as it is there so that we receive instruction but
also have the support of other Christians. For me personally, church is
very important and I appreciate all the people who, over the years, have
made sure that I am there most of time. Simply put, church is a time of
refreshing for me when I get to praise God with others.

Reading the Bible is not an actual "need" but pretty close. One of the most
important things that we can do for God is to read the Bible because that is
how we get to know His thoughts. For me, the Bible is pretty much
everything. It encourages me when I feel down, it is company for me when I
feel lonely, it calms me down when I feel agitated, etc.

I admit, though, that there are times when I tell God that I "need"
something when I know very well that it is just a "want". For example, when
I tell God that I "need" a change, I know very well that it is nothing more
than a want because I am so tired of the same thing day after day after
day.....