What Do You Need?

This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

IF YOU WALK CHILDREN through a toy store, you will hear their mantra: “But, Mom, I neeeeed that!”

What exactly is a need? In my quiet time journal, I was trying to sort out the differences between a want and a need. I looked up need in the dictionary and learned that a need is a condition requiring supply or relief.^a

I had to agree with God that most of the time when I told God I neeeeeded something, I was a lot like a child in a toy store. I just thought I needed it. Now I ask myself: Is this a requirement? Is it pressing? Is it urgent? Is it a means of basic sustenance?

In the book of Acts, the church rallied to supply each other’s needs: “They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need” (Acts 2:45).

So then I asked myself, What would I sell if someone I loved needed food? needed shelter? I had to be honest—most everything would go! I really don’t have that many “needs”!

God says he will supply my needs, and he goes beyond that. He meets needs according to his riches, and he owns it all!