What Do You Need?

In our quest for wealth and riches, we often find ourselves spending so much energy, time and emotions at the expense of the things that are truly important in life. Children grow up without the knowledge of how it feels to play with their fathers. They have no idea what it is to have their father talk to them or even hug them. Today, even mothers go abroad leaving their children with care givers that are not their biological parents all for the sake of money. I believe that it is important to provide for families, but what is it really that we need?

In the book of Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, "But be seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these [things] will be added to you.*” A lot of times we quote this scripture but we don’t quite understand what it says. A plant that is in the business of brewing fermented products like the Zimbabwean traditional brew is essentially there to produce the brew. However, a by-product from the fermentation process is carbon dioxide. So the company can take advantage of the by-product and get to sell it to increase profit. The by-product is not the reason why they are in business. It is the same thing with seeking the Kingdom of God. The reason is not so that we can get the other things that will be added. Too many people come to the church because they have their eyes set on by-products. They decide to be Christians so that they can be rich, have nice clothes and fancy food to indulge their gluttonous spirits in. Seeking the Kingdom first means seeking the Kingdom first!

Once we are in Christ, the bible tells us that all things are ours. I don’t know about you but that makes me want to shout “Hallelujah”! The passage of scripture from Matthew 6:24-34 blesses me all the time. Money is very important. Realize though that it is a very good servant but a terrible master. Someone says it’s just like fire. Material things are great to have. The amazing thing is we have it all in Christ. In Romans 8:32 Paul wrote, “The [One] who indeed did not spare His own Son, _but_ [who] handed Him over on behalf of us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give to us all [things]?” The Wesley commentary says, “He spared not his own Son; therefore he will freely give us all things. He delivered him up for us all; therefore, none can lay anything to our charge. Freely - For all that follows justification is a free gift also. All things - Needful or profitable for us.”

I believe that all things belong to God for He created all things. In the first chapter of the gospel of John we learn that all things were created by Him (The Word = God = Jesus). Do you realize that when you receive Jesus as Lord you become this mysterious creature? You become the new creation. I am running out of words to explain what you become. Colossians 2:9-10 says, “Because in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [or, Deity] bodily, and you* have been made full [or, have been completed] in Him, who is the Head of every rule and authority,” Earlier on in verse 3 he writes, “(Christ) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom (Greek: Sophia = insight into reality) and knowledge (Greek: Gnosis = scientific knowledge). What do you need given you have the fullness of the Godhead and the treasures of sophia and gnosis?

“Now if children, also heirs-heirs on the one hand of God, joint-heirs on the other hand with Christ, since we suffer together, so that we shall also be glorified together.” – Romans 8:17. A joint-heir is one who is a joint possessor with another. We own the world! What belongs to Christ belongs to us and Christ owns all things! Hallelujah! What then shall I be in need of? The psalmist says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!” Look at the boldness Paul had in the letter to the Philippians in chapter 4:19 – “Now my God will fully supply all your* need according to His riches [fig., abundance] in glory in Christ Jesus!” That’s a brother who understands who his God is. We all need to get there.

In response to Martha in Luke 10:40, 41, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disquieted about many [things], but of one [thing] there is need. But Mary chose the good part, which will not be taken away from her." Are you concerned about the things that will not be taken from you or are you anxious and disquieted (troubled, disturbed) about many things that are not really the good part? Reflect upon this question and decide where you are standing.


Affirmation: My God is able to supply all my needs through His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I have all I need in Christ Jesus. I am a joint-heir with Christ!