2 Corinthians 8:13
Honesty is the best policy, so here it goes - I could always use more money. It sounds terrible but the reality is that a "bit" more money would definitely come in handy when it comes to the essentials of my life. After all I do like to pay the water bill, the electric bill, my mortgage—my bills of requirement.
But almost every day I am awakened by a story of inequality. Just when I am longing for financial comfort, I meet a family living in a tent. When my yearnings lean towards added household items I am introduced to a mother whose home has burned down. When worry about school bills threatens to undo me I recognize the friend with school bills that far outreach my own.
I have no idea how they made it happen but within the community of believers in the first century there was very little need. Everyone put forward what they could to meet the needs of those who lived without. Paul delineates between need versus want – equality comes when our focus is on what we all need. There is usually a limit with needs, while wants have only the limit of our imagination.
Living with the mindset of need versus want is a challenge. Years ago I heard about a family who met the challenge by asking themselves this question every time they wanted to purchase an item, "Can we afford to buy two - one for ourselves and another for someone else?" If I faithfully asked myself that question I know that my wants would be greatly reduced!
Jesus, I need You to help me
discern my wants versus my needs.
I relinquish all my wants and
place them in Your hands.
Amen.
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