One of the things I've been thinking about lately, and of which I have been teaching about as well is the difference between wants and needs. I am convinced that most of the time we don't really know the difference.
You see, the Bible teaches that God is busy in the life of every Christian. In Romans 8 for instance the Apostle Paul writes, "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. " (vs.27,28) Then he tells us what the purpose is in verse 29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
So, God, by the Spirit, sorts out our prayer and conforms it to the will of God Who is busy working out those "all things" for good, meaning for the purpose of conforming us to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In other words, God is molding us, shaping us, even preparing us, through those events He deems "good" because He is using those things to make each Christian more like His Savior!
So, what does this have to do with the difference between a want and a need? Well, for one thing God is aware of our needs even before we ask Him. In fact, He is aware of our needs when we are not! Not only so, but He promises to supply all of those needs according to His riches in glory! The biggest need any human being has is that of eternal salvation which is taken care of by the LORD Himself, according to His will, and is supplied to everyone "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) But for every one of these, our biggest need is to be conformed to the image of God's Son! Therefore, the "all things" that work together for good are what we need!
Now since God knows tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, and my whole life, He sees my needs even when I do not. I may look at tomorrow and say, "I have this need or that..." but it may not be true at all since tomorrow has not yet arrived and the needs for tomorrow may change. I can say, "I need a new vehicle" but it may not be true! I have learned that there is a difference between wanting and needing. Perhaps my present vehicle will continue to serve me well for another six months or so. In that case my proposed need was not a need at all! A couple of weeks ago our propane ran out due to an oversight by the propane company, so no furnace, no water heater, no range. So I ended up cooking breakfast and lunch on a wood stove. Now I'm glad that the tank has been filled but I realized I don't need the propane; it just makes life easier!
It's true there are needs of life. We need food, water, clothing, shelter and God promises to meet those needs. But He does not promise the dainties of kings, nor does He promise the latest in fashion. He promises to meet our needs!
Someone recently asked me, "If God hasn't supplied the funds I need to pay my bills does that mean I don't really need to pay my bills and I just want to pay my bills?" to which I replied, "No, you need to pay the bills you probably did not NEED to establish in the first place!" The point being don't bury yourself in a hole and then blame God because he didn't dig you out! As Christians we are accountable to God and we are expected to follow His directions as found in the word of God.
Another may ask, "Did I really need this cancer? If God is busy working everything out for good then how do you explain this?" Well, first of all I can't explain ever situation of life but I know a couple of things are true. I know that God is Sovereign and that He is ultimately responsible for either bringing the "all things" into my life, or, at the very least, allowing them to come into my life. So I know you cannot be afflicted without God, at the very least, allowing it to happen! What is the purpose? That's between you and God! You figure it out! I can tell you that I have known instances where having cancer or some other disease has brought people closer to God. Is that the need? You tell me! Nobody wants cancer, nobody wants heart disease, no body wants disease but it is possible, because of God's promise, that He sees an eternal need that outweighs a temporal need. Again, I'm only suggesting a possibility here.
Most of my life I have been a very impatient person. In fact I once refused to go to McDonald's for twelve years because I had to wait in line too long. I have been known to spend a considerable time looking for a place to eat because of waiting time. I think God intentionally put me into situations where I had to learn patience. I didn't like it and I definately didn't want it...but I needed it!
Getting back to my premise, God knows your need even when you don't is comforting to me, I hope it is to you as well!
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