God blesses when you meet the Needs, not the Wants of people
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Yahuah always provides enough for
us to be grateful. The needy exist so that we can give to them, helping them
also have reasons to thank Yahuah. We are called to give, but the focus of our
giving must be on meeting needs, not wants. You are blessed when
you meet the real needs of others, not their superficial desires. If your
giving isn't bringing blessings, it may be time to reflect and ask: Am I
meeting people's genuine needs or just fulfilling their wants?
A hungry person needs food, not
clothes. A half-naked girl asking for urgent money to eat might actually need
clothes, not food. Similarly, some people pray for Yahuah to meet their wants
when His provision is intended to cover their needs. People are more sincerely
thankful when their real needs are met, not their wants. For example, a brother
asking for money to buy beer or cigarettes is seeking to satisfy a want, not a
need.
"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done." (Proverbs 19:17)
When I meet random people asking
for money for food, I always try to confirm their real needs. If I suspect they
might use the money for unnecessary wants like smoking or drinking, I take them
to a food vendor and pay for a full meal. It’s not always easy to discern needs
from wants, but nowhere in Scripture does Yahuah instruct us to meet people’s
wants. Our responsibility in obedience and love is to meet needs.
Unfortunately, many Christians violate this principle, accusing those who
prioritize needs of being stingy for not indulging every want.
Even in church settings, we must be
careful. A well-to-do pastor asking members for money to fund church projects
that only benefit the church leadership is prioritizing wants, not needs.
Giving is a universal law that rewards those who meet real needs. Church
buildings and fancy facilities are often the wants of church leaders not the true
needs of the congregation. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,
that there may be food in my house." (Malachi 3:10) Tithing should
primarily meet real needs, not the personal wants of others.
Some people ignore their needs in
pursuit of wants. If you need a phone for communication and someone gives you a
used but functional phone, be grateful. Demanding a brand-new smartphone or an
iPhone instead is pure greed. "But godliness with contentment is great
gain." (1 Timothy 6:6) Godly contentment comes from satisfying needs
first; greed arises when people prioritize their wants at all costs.
It’s unfortunate to see people who
appear unkempt and hungry but are carrying expensive phones to stay online for
frivolous trends. Instead of asking for food, clothing, or job opportunities,
they beg for enough money to buy data while their stomachs remain empty.
Helping such people satisfy their wants won’t bring blessings either to them or
to you. They won’t even be grateful for what you give because it’s not
addressing their real needs.
"The sluggard’s
craving will be the death of him because his hands refuse to work."
(Proverbs 21:25)
In family life, many financial
struggles arise from confusing wants with needs. A family living in a
three-bedroom apartment they can barely afford might have a spare room filled
with junk, while their real financial need is to downsize and live within their
means. A family’s primary need is to earn enough and adjust their lifestyle to
match their income, but some husbands allow extravagant wives to spend on
wants, neglecting essential needs until emergencies arise.
Some husbands meet their wives'
basic needs, but the wives still complain about their wants, comparing
themselves to others. This leads to frustration and financial instability.
Focus on needs in times of scarcity; only pursue wants when abundance allows.
"Keep your lives
free from the love of money and be content with what you have." (Hebrews
13:5)
Understanding the difference
between needs and wants is crucial for maintaining gratitude and preventing the
over-exaggeration of hardship in "grass-to-grace" testimonies. It’s
misleading to boast of financial struggles while having N10 million in your
account. Even with N5 million, you don’t have a real need you just desire more.
People with wants often hijack conversations about economic struggles,
overshadowing those with genuine needs. This greed ultimately deprives those in
need of the help they deserve.
...You shall open your
hand wide unto your BROTHER, to your POOR, and to your NEEDY, in your land. -
Deut 15:11 No Torah obligation catering to
Wants
Except you're giving a gift (which is normally outside the scriptural definition of needs), we're only bound by love
to focus on meeting real needs.
Exo 25:2-Speak unto the
children of Yashar’el, that they bring me an offering: of every man that gives
it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. Read 1Ch 29:9-Then the people rejoiced, for that
they offered willingly because with perfect heart they offered willingly to
Yahuah: and Daviyd the king also rejoiced with great joy.
No covenant blessing for people giving
offerings for the Ark of the Covenant, Temple projects etc, while Christianity
extort money for church facilities in exchange for God's blessings.
Pro 19:17-He that has pity upon the poor lends
unto Yahuah, and that which he has given will he pay him again. Covenant Blessing comes from giving to poor and
needy people.
In conclusion, your blessings in
giving are tied to meeting real needs, not wants. Never expect Yahuah to bless
you for fulfilling unnecessary desires. Focus on meeting true needs and let the
abundance follow in its time.
Comments