ODB: I shall not want
May 22, 2010
Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.
READ: James 4:1-10
The world is Mine, and all its fullness. —Psalm 50:12
Before they were a week old, the eaglets were fighting over food. Neither was strong enough to hold up his head for more than a few seconds, so the pair looked like fuzzballs with bobble-heads attached. But whenever the parents brought food to the nest, the bigger eaglet was quick to peck down his brother to keep him from getting a single bite. His aggression would have been understandable if food was scarce, or if the parents couldn’t be trusted to supply what he needed. But nothing could be further from the truth. The eaglets were being fed fish many times their size; there was more than enough for both of them.
The greedy eaglet reminds me of our own foolishness when we try to get for ourselves something that belongs to someone else (James 4:1-5). Conflicts erupt because we want something that God has given to a friend, colleague, relative, or neighbor. Instead of asking God for what we need, we try to get what He’s given to someone else (v.2). But God has something good for each of us. We don’t need what belongs to anyone else. And we certainly never need to harm anyone to get what we need.
Our loving heavenly Father has more than enough for everyone. —Julie Ackerman Link
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Is it alright if we want something that doesn’t belong to some one else, but something that we don’t need?
For example an ipod because we want it but we don’t need it and it doesn’t belong to someone else.
Hi Hannah,
This is always a tough struggle that we all have isn’t it?
It is not wrong to have desires. We as Christians should be desiring after a right relationship with God. Even John Piper’s ministry is known as Desiring God. But the problem arises especially when these desires become greed or obsession.
Here is where things become tricky. We should not yearn after something that it replaces God in our lives. If so, what we yearn after becomes an idol. This happens especially with physical items.
The age-old need versus want is a good question to ask but more importantly, pray and ask God to search your heart to know your deepest intention as to each acquisition. The reason why there needs to be much thought to a simple purchase is because we are called to be good stewards of what God has given us.
Just as in the parable of the talents, we need to know that one of the main lessons is the importance of us using what was given to us wisely so that we will be good and faithful servants.
Recently, I wanted to buy a camera lens too and I went through the whole decision process of what I just shared. These are a few key questions to ask:
1. Why am I interested in purchasing this ipod?
2. Do I really need one?
3. If yes, will I be willing to share it to further God’s ministry?
4. Are there other more important needs that this money could be used for?
5. Finally, should I buy it?
Yes, there is a lot to think about. But it is useful when we consider our purchases with godly intent. There is nothing wrong in buying things but it becomes wrong when we purchase things for selfish and sinful reasons.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalms 24:1).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).