Wants and needs
How many times have you heard someone say “I need this or that.” It is so interesting how many times we use the verb ”need” in place of “want.” We have become accustomed to using the two words interchangeably.
A need is something that is required for a person to live a healthy life. It is something that you have to have.
A want is something that a person desires, either immediately or in the future. Unlike needs, wants differ from one person to another. A want is something which is good to have, but not essential for survival.
Each person has their own list of wants—each with a varying level of importance. Wants can change over a period of time. Needs remain constant throughout the lifetime of the person.
Throughout time the three basic needs of mankind have been food, clothing and shelter, but more recently in the history of the world, education and healthcare have also become integral, as they improve the quality of life. Determining needs can be subjective because a person could say that eating an expensive meal at a five star restaurant would fall into the need column, and another person would classify high end clothes as a need.
Cheryl was making out a grocery list online for pickup at a local supermarket. I was reminded that sometimes when she is making out a grocery list, she will ask me, “Is there anything that you need from the grocery store?” Other times she will ask me “Is there anything that you want from the grocery store?” My response is usually not based on whether or not I “need” an item, but rather on something that pops into my mind. I may respond by saying that I need some Drumstick ice cream cones, but those are definitely one of my “wants.” Of course one could argue that they are essential since they contain dairy products and a minuscule of fiber in the sugar cones. The point is that we often work our wants into our needs.
Our granddaughter, Libby, just graduated from kindergarten with an online program. Libby recently had a school assignment about wants and needs. Here is the list that she composed:
I am so proud of Libby because as her worldview is forming in her mind and heart, she already has a better grasp of “needs” and “wants” than most adults. (By the way, the “mats” are the ones used for tumbling exercises.)
Philippians 4 (NIV):
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.