GIF Wants or Needs

“The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
(Galatians 5:17)

Wants or Needs
by Larry Burkett

Balance and moderation are the keys to determining what is a need, want, or desire. How can you tell when your life is indulgent?

One sign is that you or your family must always have “better” than before. This could be cars, clothes, houses, or recreation equipment. Another sign is that you must always have better than others and find yourself trying to top their lifestyles.

Also, you find that you have a lot of things that you feel embarrassed about around other people.

Many people struggle with discerning between need and greed. The decision is not related to what we buy but, rather, to our attitude about things in general.

Without a doubt, it is easier in the short-run to give in to indulgence than it is to control it. I say short-run because in the long-run the result is a growing sense of restlessness and distance from God.

If you have experienced this, you are the only one who can do anything about it. It’s your decision to make changes. If you want to, God will supply the power.

Once we recognize the need to control indulgent spending, something else becomes obvious: The money we don’t spend on ourselves is now available to help someone else’s need.

“Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon” (Philippians 4:5).

Daily Scripture Reading: 

1 Chronicles 7:1-8:27