Needs and Wants

At this point it is hard to imagine that there are people out there who still do not have an inkling of what is going on with Wall Street and the world's economy. Because Shaun has been doing Day-trading for nearly two years and has immersed himself in all that stock "stuff", I tend to not waste my time keeping up with too much of it.

However...I've now overheard enough of CNBC while passing through the room to know we are in interesting times. With all this going on, I was reminded of a post I read many months ago on Needs v. Wants at Millionaire Mommy Next Door and found it to be very thought-provoking and challenging.

It might be an appropriate time to take a hard look at the family budget or, in some cases, create one for the first time. When Shaun and I were working full-time in our careers as Engineer and Bank Manager and did not have children (pause for a moment of silence for those long-gone days...kidding!) we did not live by a budget.

When Avery arrived our income umm..changed, along with our priorities and it forced us to make a budget. We've found there is actually lots of freedom when living within a budget.

After our basic needs: food, shelter, clothing, transportation, the rest are wants. It’s hard to think of it like that, 'cause I would like to argue there are several other things that should appear on that needs list. Like DSL or more camera equipment, for instance. But truly, wants are everything above and beyond needs, simple as that.

Personal responsibility in money matters is possible no matter what your circumstances. Probably we can all do better, and now is a good time to start!

We also need to remember that God is still in control, even in times of uncertainty and chaos. Romans 8:28 is still in force:

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

I am also reminded of what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal,” He said. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-20).

And then Jesus goes on to say (in Matthew 6:25-33):

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

These are the timeless truths we need to focus on—they tell us that God will provide for our needs. His provision may come in different forms than we expect, but He always keeps His promises.

Jesus’ words also remind us that there is more to life than meeting our daily material needs. When we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, we operate according to His priorities—we’re concerned about building our family relationships, and connecting the hearts of our children to God’s heart, and impacting future generations by proclaiming Christ. That’s what life is really about.