Want vs. Need

I think the question of want versus need is a universal question regardless of spiritual beliefs.  Do I really need a new house, car, video game system, sweater, or even a name brand food item when there are people starving without a roof over their heads?

I've been thinking about this for a while.  Our church has just begun a faith-raising campaign.  The vision that God has given us is to expand His family in a variety of ways in our community and surrounding area.  He also wants those of us who are already part of His family to grow deeper in our relationship with Him.  This is why it is called a faith-raising campaign instead of fund-raising.  The main goal is to grow His kingdom deeper and wider, not to raise money.  If we follow His call to give what He wants each of us individually to give then He will be blessed and so will we.  (Luke 16:10-13)  But this campaign didn't begin these thoughts of need versus want.  I've been contemplating them for a long time, especially when my husband and I getting ready to make large purchases.  Although, I've been trying harder with the small purchases because they really add up.

I've always struggled with wondering if I really need something that seems like a non-necessity when compared to the starving children in Africa, for example.  I think it would be easy (in some ways) to say I don't need much and live in the smallest house you can find, ride a bike everywhere you go and send everything you have to those in need.  Then you could say,  "Look what I gave up to help others."  But if God wants you to have a house that can accommodate four or more people so you can host a small group or have a car so you can transport people to work, school, or wherever, then your lifestyle is disobedient to Him and therefore sinful.   On the flip side, it would also be easy (in other ways) to have a large home and a nice new SUV that holds eight people so you can host a large group and transport people who need rides.  But if God wants you to downsize because you can still do those things with a smaller house and a used vehicle that is less expensive to own, then your lifestyle is disobedient to Him and therefore sinful.  Now those are two ends of the spectrum.  My family falls somewhere in the middle.  Our home is not large but is big enough to accommodate around twelve people comfortably for a gathering.  Our vehicles are not new.  We've never owned a new vehicle.  They are big enough to transport our family but no one else if the kids are with us.  But we do have two.

Part of the problem lies in comparing ourselves to other people.  This is a problem in so many areas of our lives.  The funny thing is that God doesn't compare us to one another so why do we?  This can be problematic in a several ways.  We can see what others have and think, "I wish I had that because then I could really do God's work" or "Do they really need that?  They should sell it and give the money to someone who needs it."  Both scenarios are wrong.  God gives us what we have for a reason.  Sometimes we just need to get creative to find ways to serve Him with what we have instead of wanting something else.  Who are we to judge what others have and what they should do?  How do we know that God didn't give them what they have so they could reach people that we can't?  Who could better minister to a wealthy person than someone else with wealth?  It gives them a common ground and allows a relationship to form without guilt for having money.  Having wealth is not a sin.  God made Solomon a very wealthy man.  (1 Kings 3) On the other hand, we can see what others don't have and think, "They have nothing.  I should give away everything to help others" or "See how much I have compared to them.  I must be doing something better than they are."  Now it may seem in the former to be a noble, godly thought.  However,  God wants us to be good stewards of what we have.  If we give everything away just to make ourselves feel good we may be robbing ourselves and our families of things that God wants to give us.  I think it's fairly obvious that in the latter thought there is an amount of arrogance and self-reliance to the statement.  We need to recognize that everything we have comes from God.  We don't earn the money we have.  God blessed us with the job and the ability to perform that job so that we can receive money to provide for our families and the needs of others.  (James 1:17)

So where does this leave us?  Well, we need to earnestly ask God what He wants us to own and what He wants us to give away.  Sometimes that can be the hardest part, figuring out what He wants us to give.  I think that once you know that it becomes a lot easier in the sense that you only have two options, be obedient and give and trust that He'll take care of your needs or disobey by holding back because you think you need what you have.  But, still, many times it's not easy because you have to give something up.  If your instinct is to hold back, you should try to seek out why and ask Him to help you to trust Him. (Acts 20:35)  We also need to realize that He could send His answer in many ways, not just through an intense feeling that He is leading you in one direction but also through the encouragement of others,  circumstances in our lives, and His Word.  He may just ask us to give even though we may not know exactly what we're giving to.  It's the condition and attitude of our hearts toward Him in giving that gift that He honors, not that we think we are giving to a good cause.