Question 1

What do I really need?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:3“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”We need God—his love, his presence, and his promise of eternal life.Hebrews 7:26He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.We need Jesus—his mercy, his forgiveness, and his salvation.Luke 17:5The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”Ephesians 6:16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.We need faith to stand firm in the face of temptation.Psalm 119:19“I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!”We need God’s guidance so that we know where to go in life’s journey.James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.We need God’s wisdom so that we will do what is right, what is appropriate, and what is pleasing to him.2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.We need God’s strength to help us in times of weakness.Luke 18:1One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.We need prayer to keep us in constant communication with God.Psalm 119:75I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.We need the Lord’s discipline to keep us following his ways.Romans 12:5We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.We need other Christians, encouraging us and serving with us.Psalm 145:15The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.We need food and other provisions of life.Psalm 138:3As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.Philippians 4:13I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.We need God’s strength to do what we can’t do on our own.Colossians 1:11We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,Hebrews 10:36Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.We need patient endurance to continue to do God’s will.Acts 13:24Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized.We need to repent of our sins and turn to God.

Question 2

Does God care about my daily needs?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 6:25-33“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”Matthew 10:29-31“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”God made us, and he is intimately aware of our needs. God loves and cares for the smallest creatures in his creation—how much more will he care and provide for us, his children!Isaiah 46:4“I [the Lord] will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”2 Corinthians 9:8-9God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”Philippians 4:19This 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.When we understand what we truly need and see how God provides, we will realize how much he cares about us. God doesn’t promise to give us a lot of possessions, but he does promise to help us develop the character traits that reflect his nature so we can accomplish his plans for us. He doesn’t promise us long lives on earth, but he does promise us life for all eternity if we’ve pledged our allegiance to him.

Question 3

How can I keep a clear distinction between my needs and wants?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.Psalm 34:9Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.Proverbs 30:8First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.Matthew 6:8, 32“Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! . . . These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”Philippians 4:11-12Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.1 Timothy 6:8So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.Hebrews 13:5Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”We will never be content if you focus on our wants, because we will always want more. That is why the Lord promises to supply our needs, not our wants. The more we focus on what the Lord values (for example, hunger and thirst for justice and righteousness—Matthew 5:6), the more we will be able to distinguish our wants from our needs. If we constantly feel discontented, we may be focusing more on what we want than on what God knows is best for us.

Question 4

How can I be sure that my needs will be met?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.We can be sure that our needs will be met because we have God’s promise to love us and care for us. Just as a shepherd loves and cares for each one of his sheep, God does the same for us.Romans 8:31-32What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?We can be sure that our needs will be met because our greatest need is God himself, and he offers a way for us to be with him forever. God takes great joy in helping us fulfill that need.Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.We can be sure that our needs will be met because we can express our thoughts and desires to him. We should not hesitate to talk to God about our needs because he welcomes our requests.Philippians 4:19This 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.We can be sure that our needs will be met because God’s resources far exceed even our greatest needs.

Question 5

Why does God promise to meet my needs?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 6:25-26“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”Matthew 7:11“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”Matthew 10:31“So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”1 John 3:1See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.We are God’s children, and he loves us. If he provides for the needs of sparrows, how much more will he provide for his beloved children!2 Peter 1:3By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.God meets our needs to help us live fully for him. When the Lord reaches out to supply our needs, we will grow in our trust of him.2 Kings 4:42-44One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, “Give it to the people so they can eat.” “What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed a hundred people with only this?” But Elisha repeated, “Give it to the people so they can eat, for this is what the Lord says: Everyone will eat, and there will even be some left over!” And when they gave it to the people, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the Lord had promised.”Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”2 Corinthians 9:8God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.God gives to us so we will give to others. He is looking for servants through whom he can express his love and care. When he finds them, they become a channel for his provision.

Question 6

On whom should I depend to meet my needs?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”Romans 5:6When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.2 Corinthians 9:8God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.2 Peter 1:3By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.We should depend on God because he knows what we really need and supplies it in great abundance. When we make serving him our top priority, he will provide for us as he guides us in his work.

Needs