Wants vs. Needs

In my previous post, I discussed the role of faith or belief in attaining what we want or desire (or pray for). Now, if I may, I’d like to comment on the matter of wanting in the first place. Without going into it in depth at this point, I will simply point out that we seem to have been conditioned to believe that “wants” are bad, or selfish. Because we have been counseled to distinguish between “wants” and “needs” (when budgeting limited funds, for example), we have drawn the unfortunate (and false) conclusion that to want or to have anything beyond our basic “needs” is simply wrong!

Consider the following statements by pioneer statesman Brigham Young:

"The Lord will bestow riches and honor upon this people as fast as they can receive them and learn to take care of them in the Lord."

"If we will do right and seek the Lord with all our hearts, he will give unto us everything our hearts can desire. The earth is before us, heaven is before us, and the fullness of eternity is before us, and it is for us to live for all our hearts can desire in righteousness."

"When this people are prepared to properly use the riches of this world for the building up of the kingdom of God, He is ready and willing to bestow them upon us. If the Latter-day Saints will walk up to their privileges, and exercise faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and live in the enjoyment of the fullness of the Holy Ghost constantly day by day, there is nothing on the face of the earth that they could ask for, that would not be given to them. The Lord is waiting to be very gracious unto this people, and to pour out upon them riches, honor, glory, and power, even that they may possess all things according to the promises He has made through His apostles and prophets."

"I like to see men get rich by their industry, prudence, management and economy, and then devote it to the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth, and in gathering in the poor saints from the four corners of the earth; "

"I can witness one fact, and so can others, that by paying attention to the building up of the kingdom of God alone we have got rich in the things of this world; and if any man can tell how we can get rich in any other way, he can do more than I can. "

http://webmail.west.cox.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.journalofdiscourses.org%252FVol_11%252FrefJDvol11-18.html

(I'd like to thank my friend Darin Carlyle for sharing these quotes with me.)

While not all would accept Brigham Young as the final authority on such questions, his words may at least give one pause. Those familiar with his life can attest that he was an immensely practical man. He was also immensely wise.

An ancient American prophet named Jacob shed incisive light on the matter of wealth or riches when he said:

17 Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good – to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:17-19).

This does not mean that we ourselves must do without. As I point out in The Secret of Life:

“It is hard to feed others when our own cupboards are bare!" (Origin Unknown).

The Apostle Paul wisely counseled that “He who striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” So don’t go overboard one way or the other. In the meantime, we should enjoy life and appreciate the good things the Lord has given us as his children. If we remain humble and grateful – not considering ourselves better than others – He is happy with us!

Finally, let us consider the familiar promise of the Lord from Malachi:

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:10-12

In conclusion, perhaps we should consider a “trickle-up” theory with respect to the Lord’s blessings. He has promised to “open [us] the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” If we are to be “familiar with all and free with [our] substance, that they may be rich like unto [us],” then it will be necessary for us to keep a little for ourselves!