Matthew 6:32 (NKJV) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Have you honestly asked yourself, “Am I in need, or do I simply have too many wants in life?”
The “Gentiles” in the above passage refer to people who do not know or trust God. Those without faith in God often focus their lives on material needs and survival. They anxiously worry because they believe everything depends on their own effort. They are driven by fear, a desire for security, and self-reliance. Idolising their material wealth, their sense of security comes from what they own.
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God knows that we need food and clothing. God’s character has been consistent throughout the Bible: He cares for the needs of His people. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel lacked nothing from the time they left Egypt to the time they entered the Promised Land. In fact, the Psalmist states that he has never seen the righteous forsaken, nor their descendants begging for bread, because of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 37:25). Likewise, He will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus—we lack nothing in life.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
God will meet our basic needs—a roof over our heads, food on the table, and clothes to wear. Therefore, we should be content to live a lifestyle based on what He has provided for us through our jobs and businesses.
However, we need to address our discontent. For example, we may compare our lives with those of others, especially on social media. In fact, if we are not careful, we may become discontented with our spouse’s income and career progress, driven by our desire to improve our lifestyle or maintain it; or we might be concerned about how others perceive us and therefore want an upgrade in our lifestyle, which adds to the stress of discontent. All these make us impatient, frustrated, and discontented!
We may be saved, but we might not have renewed our minds, so many of the world’s values remain in our lives. Therefore, we need to take time to discern the difference between our true needs and the things we merely want.
Reflection: Do you ask God to satisfy your wants instead of your needs? How does knowing that God will supply all your needs impact the way you manage your finances and lifestyle?
Sermon Series: Therapeutic Bird Watching
需要还是想要？
马太福音 6:32 这都是外邦人所求的。你们需用的这一切东西，你们的天父是知道的。
上文中提到的“外邦人”指那些不认识神或不信靠神的人。没有信仰的人，往往将生活重心放在物质需要和生存上。他们因相信一切都依靠自己的努力而焦虑不安。他们的行为受到恐惧、对安全的渴望以及自我依赖的驱动。物质财富成为他们的偶像，安全感来自于他们所拥有的东西。
腓立比书 4:19 我的神必照他荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里使你们一切所需用的都充足。
神知道我们需要食物和衣服。神的性情在圣经中一贯不变：祂关心祂子民的需要。在旧约中，从以色列人离开埃及到进入应许之地的过程中，他们没有缺乏任何东西。正如诗篇作者所说，他从未见过义人被弃，也未见他们的后裔乞讨面包（诗篇 37:25），因为神是信实的。同样，祂必照着在基督耶稣里荣耀的丰富，满足我们的一切需要——我们在生命中不缺乏任何东西。
提摩太前书 6:6-8 然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了。因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去。 只要有衣有食，就当知足。
神会满足我们的基本需要——有屋顶遮蔽，有饭吃，有衣穿。因此，我们应当知足，过一种以神通过我们的工作和事业所提供为基础的生活方式。
然而，我们也需要正视自己的不知足。例如，我们可能会将自己的生活与他人比较，尤其是在社交媒体上。事实上，如果不小心，我们可能会因配偶的收入或事业进展而感到不满足，或因希望改善或维持生活水平而焦虑；又或者我们会在意他人的眼光，因此希望升级生活方式，这些都增加了不知足带来的压力，使我们变得急躁、沮丧、不满足！
我们或许得救了，但我们的心思可能尚未更新，许多世俗的价值观仍存在于我们的生活中。因此，我们需要花时间分辨自己真正的需要与仅仅是想要的东西之间的差别。
反思：你是否曾向神祈求满足你的“想要”，而非真正的“需要”？知道神会供应你一切所需，会如何影响你对财务和生活方式的管理呢？
讲章系列：疗愈的观鸟时刻