Need or Want?

Would you agree that in the culture in which we live here in the US, even Christ followers have a difficult time discerning genuine needs? What I mean by that is we confuse "needs" with "wants." Not to pick on any one area, but just to mention a few examples: Do we really need cable television? I mean, really? Do we need a closet (or two or three) full of clothes, most of which we never wear? Do we need two or three or four thousand square foot houses? Do we need plush, high tech church buildings? Do we need all the food we eat? (In my case, the thirty extra pounds I carry around would have to answer "no".) Do we need newer and fancier vehicles? Do we need smart phones, or even cell phones for that matter? Of course the list could go on. Again, I'm not trying to pick on any one thing. I think I possess or desire to possess all of the above.

The normal disclaimer and/or protest at this time would be to say, "Now, of course, there really isn't anything wrong with having these things." Well, maybe not. But maybe so. Maybe possessing these kinds of things is wrong if we are neglecting to help meet the needs of those around us, especially the needs of fellow Christians. James 2:15-16 (ESV) says: If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Acts 2:44-45 (ESV) describes life in the early church: And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. This was not communism. But it does show that these first Christians were willing to do whatever they needed to do to meet the needs of those who did not have the basic necessities of life. They held their possessions loosely. If they needed to sell them, they were willing, and I dare say, even glad to do so. Should these folks not be a model for us?

I wonder if too many of us Jesus followers who even believe in tithing think that the other 90% is for us to spend on ourselves in any way we choose. I wonder if some of us should purpose to live on half what we are living on now and use the other half in service to the Kingdom.

I don't mean to imply that it's wrong to go past our needs to possess any of our wants. But where do we cross the line of simple living to excess? God must be trying to get my attention here. What about you? What do you think?