Needs vs. Wants

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  -Philippians 4:19-20 (ESV).  “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16, ESV. 

Oftentimes a great gulf exists between what we need and what we want.  Webster defines “need” as “a lack of something requisite; a condition requiring supply or relief.”  On the other hand, “want” is defined as “to have a strong desire or inclination for.”  In the cited verses, the Lord does not promise to supply our wants but our needs, not to fulfill our desires but to provide what will be best for us while at the same time bringing glory to the Father.  It is through His mercy and grace that our needs are met.  In Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004, p. 132), the author has Jesus saying, “Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, for thankfulness opens the door to My treasures.”  This is reminiscent of what we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV):  Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  Even in our direst needs, if we can find the grace to give thanks, then we are fulfilling God’s will.  And the thankful heart, even while awaiting God’s blessing and anticipating that the need will be met, can, as Young so aptly states, “relax in the knowledge that the One who controls your life is totally trustworthy” (Young, p. 132).