WANTS and NEEDS

Let me tell you a story about when I was in middle school.... I was living with my Dad because my mom moved out. My Dad at that time was different. He was more giving to me and I was his only child. I got mostly what I wanted. I remember there was a cool bunk bed I wanted. It had a futon on the bottom and at the top was a regular twin bed. I BEGGED my Dad for days about it and finally he got it for me. I used it most of my middle school years until high school came and I got tired of it. I never really used the top bunk, I should have settled for a futon by itself. I had it all in middle school. I was happy but I was failing big time in middle school that I had to go to summer school the summer after seventh grade. Notice how materialism affects our lives. I was so focused on me that I didn't really care about school.

Now, I don't ask my parents for stuff that I WANT. I do ask them for what I NEED. My Dad remarried and apparently his view on providing for me has somewhat changed. I wished that I could take back the WANTING time and get what I needed.

There is a chapter in the Bible that describes what I am going/went through.

Matthew 4

Verse 1-4Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the Devil came to him " If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say People need more than bread for their life, they must feed on every word of God."

Therefore the Devil was giving Jesus materials to use but Jesus refused the material for his Holy Father. He was not going to satisfy himself, he wanted to satisfy the Lord. If we satisfy the Lord, we will be given a good life.

Verse 8-11- "Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. "I will give it all to you," he said,"If you will only kneel down and worship me." "Get out of here, Satan." Jesus told him, "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God, serve only Him" Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus."

Instead of being a spoiled brat when I was little, I wished my parents had spent more time reading the bible to me and making me understand that the Word is more important than having that new bunk bed. It was only a temporary thing, the Word is FOREVER! When you see someone with a mansion (with rooms never used), three sports cars (two stay in the garage 24/7), a big pool (used only during the summer), a horse they never ride, you wonder if they have the Holy Spirit in their homes.

I do admit that sometimes I want something I don't need. Over the years after learning my big lesson of being a spoiled brat and how it accomplishes nothing, I have cut back in buying useless stuff.

I remember teaching my students the difference between needs and wants.

NEEDS- things you need to live- shelter, food, medical needs, clothing, a decent mode of transportation to get where you need to go
WANTS- fancy cars or other modes of transportation, big houses, excessive amounts of jewelry, money to spend on whatever, vacationing too much, etc.

I don't judge people if I see them having a big house. I do compliment on their nice house and I am quite honest about it. I would like to have a big house but I don't NEED it. If someone gets a new car, I would love to ride in it! But only God judges and I leave it to him. I just want to live life the plain/normal way and worship and thank him for what I already have.

I have been sad lately because there is one thing I think I NEED but I don't think I will ever get it. While I try to push it in the back of my mind, I still think of it. But I am making a four week goal to stay off of Myspace and Facebook to focus on this blog and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I am trying to think of things I already have. I have the greatest friends and am grateful for their uplifting words and feel that God is speaking through them.

Next time you buy something, ask God if you really need it. He will tell you. I can't answer that for you.