A few years ago, one of my young men in church came to see me regarding his business. As we discussed business, he got talking about his need for mobility. According to him; “I would like to buy a clean van at the moment, not the regular car. The van will also serve my business purpose.” Today, that young man is doing very well in business. He knew the difference between his need and his want.
Friend, if you would go far in life and fulfil destiny, you must differentiate between your needs and your wants. One of the marks of maturity is the ability to differentiate between needs and wants (Isaiah 7:14-15). Most times, what you want is not what you really need. Some people have sacrificed their future of greatness on the altar of wants.
Your need is connected to your purpose. Your want is connected to your comfort. God is first committed to your purpose before your comfort (Luke 1:80). He has not promised to supply all your wants; He has promised to supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19). If you don’t get this right, you would think that God does not answer prayers (1 John 5:14).
Your want is connected to today. Your need is connected to your tomorrow. Esau wanted porridge, Jacob needed inheritance (Genesis 25:31-34). Esau lived for the moment, Jacob lived for the future. Are you an Esau or a Jacob? Are you eating your future today? Are you sacrificing the ultimate for the immediate?
Your needs appeal to your spirit. Your wants appeal to your flesh. Carnal people are ruled by their flesh. Spiritual people are ruled by the Spirit (Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 3:1). Sometimes, the kind of pastor you want is not the kind of pastor you need. Your flesh wants a pastor that will spoil you. Your destiny needs a pastor that will train you (Jeremiah 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:15). Until you know your purpose and your season, you don’t know what you need yet (2 Kings 5:26, Acts 9:6).
Your need will take care of your want, but your want cannot take care of your need (Psalms 23:1). You need God more than you want money. When you get God, He will take care of your finances (Matthew 6:33). You may want a beautiful wife, but when God gives you a virtuous wife, the beauty is already taken care of (Proverbs 31:10-31). If you sacrifice your need for your want, you will eventually lose what you have laboured hard to get (Psalms 127:1-2). Be guided.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria