Needs vs. Wants

What kinds of things do you want?  Do you covet lovely furnishings?  The latest gadgets in technology?  Clothes? Shoes? Handbags?

Even when it comes to little things, we have the ability to have so many things, it seems perfectly normal to have them.  Or to want them.

But what about needs?  When I think about how little I actually need, it puts things in perspective. God has worked on this in me lately.  We have had to evaluate our needs, and focus on what we really need or want.  We have never been rich. We have always just made it, with a few extras.  Frustrated at times about this, my husband told me once that we aren’t meant to be rich.  I think he is right.  I know he is right. Because whenever I am forced to focus on needs versus wants, it forces me to focus on the only thing I really need.  To fully rely on God.

He wants me to rely on Him.  Living this lifestyle of a homemaker and homeschooling mom, doesn’t allow me to work, but the Lord has provided sufficient jobs for my husband always. In fact, He has provided more than we need.  While it may not meet this country’s standards of rich, we truly are blessed.  And surely we are rich compared to many other countries.

Needs.  
What are they?

A home. But what kind of home? A big one, small one?  Just enough space for all of us? A tiny kitchen, a big kitchen, lots of rooms, does it matter?  Not really.  If I had to choose…a house or no house at all. I’ll take the tiny house 🙂  In fact the thought of a tiny house appeals to me…so much less to take care of...but that’s a post for another time 😉

Needs…we need clothes.  But do I need to spend a lot of money on them?  Time shopping for them?  All things to think about.

Food.  Ooh, this one’s hard.  We all need to eat.  I have a love/hate relationship with the grocery store.  I love shopping for food, trying to be a good steward of my food budget, but its expensive!  What can you expect for a family of six?  But we can still pare down, use coupons, etc.  We rarely eat out.  Which is actually nice, because when we do, it is a big treat for everyone.  It’s special.

I am choosing to simplify my life and that means constantly evaluating needs versus wants.  After all, God is concerned with our hearts and our obedience to Him.  Not our material things.  He tells us in the Bible to store up heavenly treasures, and not earthly ones.

I am choosing to be more concerned with my eternal home than this temporary earthly one.  After all, as my dear friend Heather recently pointed out, eternity is a long time!  

For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world.  
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:16-17