A Thought For The Week Of June 27, 2016

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) So many people - even among those who consider themselves to be Christians - have trouble it seems in differentiating between wants and needs. Perhaps it has to do with the growth of what's come to be known as the "entitlement society." We just feel as if the world and society owe us something and we should just get it. In fact, even asking is sometimes considered a burden. We should just get what we want. Several years ago I was serving in Newfoundland. I remember watching the news one night. There had been a debate going on in St. John's City Council - it was, I believe, a part of the budget process, and citizens were making statements. One man stood up and said "the government should just give us stuff." And sometimes that's the attitude. I, of course, do believe that the government and society have a responsibility to provide for people's basic needs, but there has to be a difference between needs and wants. It's even more of a struggle when people of faith fall into this trap. For some people God becomes useful only to the extent that God gives us stuff. People will pray to God for flippant things - like winning a lottery - and of course sometimes for important things - like healing - but some of those who pray treat God like a cosmic Santa Claus - one who should give me everything I want, no questions asked. And when they don't get everything they want they give up on God. Which, of course, misses a basic principle of Scripture summed up perfectly in this verse - God supplies our needs, but doesn't just deliver all our wants. No doubt it can sometimes be hard to distinguish between wants and needs. Is healing a want or a need for example? But ultimately, God does supply our needs - and our biggest need, in my opinion, is a sense of security and peace and hope for the future, and, indeed, for eternity. These things God provides in great abundance!