Needs and Wants

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." — 1 Timothy 6:6-7

Do you know the difference between what you need and what you want?

Many of us think our wants are synonymous with our needs. It is not true. We are kept from being able to give because we are upside down financially. We put money into the wrong things. We pick up stuff we don't need.

That is why garage sales have become so popular. We buy someone else's junk to add to our junk. Have you noticed that storage facilities are cropping up everywhere? They are full. We think our kids might want our junk. They don't want it! They are focused on getting their own junk.

One of my best friends in my second pastorate was a car dealer. He inherited the dealership from his father. We were discussing things and he said, "The only way you will ever get your money out of a vehicle is to drive it as long as you can until the wheels fall off, pull it off to the side of the road, shoot it, and walk away."

He said, "I never say that publicly. The company line is that you need a brand-new car every two years."

We are not good stewards because we don't wait on God. Because we have available credit, we use more than we should. We just go ahead and do things without asking God to give us peace, direction, and confirmation. It puts us in places where we don't want to be.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" (Hebrews 13:5).

Contentment isn't having everything you want. It's realizing you already have everything you need.

Before your next purchase, ask yourself: Is this a need or a want? And have I asked God about it?

The answer might just free up more margin for generosity.