Needs

          There are probably some things that you would like to have but you don't have them. I was peeling apples a few weeks ago which always seems to be a “backbreaking” chore for me. That is, my back begins to ache after about 3 apples and I wish there was a better way. My attention was recently focused on an apple peeler. You put the apple in, turn the crank and the apple gets peeled, cored and sliced in a matter of seconds. I thought to myself that I would really like to have one of those gadgets. I have also noticed that there are places on shopping sites where you can create a “wish list” where you can place items for future purchases. That is the place you would place and item that you don't want to buy today, but you would like to have it sometime in the future. When you think about it, there are probably a lot of things that we have on our “wish list.” The Apostle Paul doesn't mention the “wish list” but he does mention the “need” list. Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

        My necessities might be my wants, but my wants are not always necessities. I might want an apple peeler, but my paring knife fills the need. I might want a Selmer, Mark VI saxophone, but my Barrington is working fine and is all that I need. God always chooses the right word in His Scriptures, and the word “needs” is the exact word for the above passage. God certainly doesn't give us all of our “wants” but He has never failed in supplying our “needs.” The above verse is also filled with treasures in that it also states that it is “according to” the riches in glory and not “out of.” When anything is “according to” it is relevant o the source. When it is “out of” it could be anything from a nickel to a million dollars. Our blessings and the supplying of our “needs” is attached to that phrase, “according to.” When you think just how rich God is and that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all the gold and all the silver in the world, then you can see just how great “according to” can be. That brings us to the current day and what we “need” in order to live a life pleasing to God. He supplies all that we need in that respect. One thing to keep before us is the difference between “needs” and “wants.” God will give you all that you need today and tomorrow just as He did yesterday and the days before. God will give you all of your needs in order to give Him the glory that He deserves. God will give you all that you need in order to share the Gospel with others. Our lives should not be focused on the things we don't have but on things that we do have and how they can be used for God's glory. We certainly can praise God today for the supplying of our needs for each and every day.