WANTS, NEEDS, AND GOD
God’s Supply is Unfailing.
“My God will meet all your needs according to
the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV.
Most of us seem to be a bundle of needs. More realistically, we are a bundle of wants. However, Google search lists only five basic needs for physical survival: oxygen, water, food, shelter, and sleep. Needs are less numerous than wants. Often wants will pose themselves as needs. Wants are about personal preferences. Needs are about necessary provision.
Wants are your responsibility to provide. Needs are God’s delight and promise to provide. When it seems I need a lot of things I don’t have, I discover most of those are things I want more than things I lack. Invite the Holy Spirit to examine your heart.
God promises to, “supply all your needs according to His riches.” Be cautious about wanting more things than you are willing to expend the effort and expense they would require. Yes, you and I have needs. We always will, because none of us are self-sufficient.
True needs, as contrasted with wants, are fewer than you might suppose them to be. God’s Word assures that you can always trust your needs to His care because we can trust His benevolent generosity. I love this Bible verse. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV. ”So do not worry, . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33 NIV.
Across my lifetime, I have found God’s Word true. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV. That is His promise from Heaven’s never depleted resources. But please notice that our Heavenly Father promised to meet all your needs, not all your wants.
God will supply your lack or provide your needs in both normal and miraculous ways. God also works through people to provide the help you lack. And God wants to use you as a channel of His blessings and provision to others and use others as the delivery system from His heart and hands, becoming deposits of His grace and provision to your life. The stark reality is this. Without the sufficiency of God and generosity of others, we will be incomplete, limited, and inadequate. You need God. Every person needs God. God needs you and people need you.
You and I were designed for interdependence. God will provide what we lack. Through you or others, God will supply what I need but lack. You and I were never created to be independent of God or one another. However, or by whomever your needs are met, God is the Source.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17 NKJV. God’s blessings and gifting in your life and God’s blessings in others lives are for mutual benefit, spiritual edification, and Christian witness. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.
Here is my summary of this matter. ”Now, to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV. Yet the measure of what God gives is not limited to natural sources. Are you inviting God and allowing others to be God’s channels of His love and provision for your daily needs?
His promise is sure. “[Do not] have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek [a]the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12:29-30 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is to be confident in God’s promise and provision.
EDL Communications 2019
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