How many needs do you have today, and how many wants? If you were able to emulate Paul in this respect, it would not matter the circumstances, you would say you have no needs and absolutely no wants, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)
If you would understand the words of Christ, and are fulfilling Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” you could think of not one thing that would fit either category, save for the need of Christ and the want for the knowledge of Him.
Throughout the ages, people have associated these two words with the continuation of the flesh, and with what they would consider happiness, their perception of it at least. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) So even the Lord knew of course that the flesh requires food, or it will cease to exist, and in this He said, “For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matt. 6:8) So then, our most basic need is taken care of for us, leaving all anxiety in this area behind. And of wants? “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3) So all of our wants are to be based on one thing, that the Lord would be glorified.
In a world of things it is difficult not to want, but those wants are almost always relative, a rich man may want another personal jet, while the poor man may want a pair of shoes with just as much desire, the two are the same. Wants unfulfilled can quite easily, and many times do, become temptations, and it is a guarantee that what we covet we will desire beyond what we should, and then will come sin (James 1:14-15) if we fall into this trap. Ask yourself this, prove yourself, can you truly differentiate between your wants and your needs, or have they become so infused that they are inseparable in your mind. Try to find one thing outside of food or clothing that you absolutely need for the flesh, and you will come up empty, if you understand the words of Christ.
Now I would ask you to envision one thing outside of Jesus Christ that you want, one thing that is not temporal, not fleeting, one thing only that moths and rust cannot touch. Without Christ, there would be no heaven, there would be no earth, there would be no you. We are in a strait here, a predicament, if you will, for we have just reached a conclusion, God is Sovereign, everything that has been or ever will be created is for Him, (Col. 1:16) all things that are, are held together by Him, (Col. 1:17) and without Him nothing exists, save for Him. Kind of puts our wants and needs into perspective, doesn’t it, makes them look small and insignificant, which in fact they are. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Phil. 4:6)
The needs we have today the Lord is well aware of, but are you, is what you believe you need truly a need, will life for you end if that need is not fulfilled, and if you truly are a born-again believer, why would you see that as a bad thing, does not Philippians 1:21 speak truth to you, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What need, physical, mental, emotional or any other part of you is not being met, what one need do you have that is keeping you from glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
As for your wants, are they viable, or are they petty and self-serving, will they assist you in reaching others for Christ, or are they just another passing thing that will end up forgotten over time, placed in the back of the closet or in a corner of the basement. Your wants and your needs, for many I fear, are nothing more than emotion-based concepts, items of the mind either attained or desired.
My friends, if Jesus Christ is not your one and only want, then you will never have anything you need, without Him, you will always be searching for the next need, you will always be wanting. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Col. 2:9)
