Wants and Needs

Introduction

        There are sermons that no preacher wants to preach, nor does a congregation want to hear. But those very same sermons are ones that a preacher needs to preach and a congregation needs to hear. The sentences sound exactly the same with the exception of one word. The difference of that one word changes the whole meaning of the sentence.

Definitions—Random House Webster’s Dictionary

Want—To feel a need for; wish or desire.

Need—A requirement or an obligation.

        A good example to show the difference in these two words is the subject of dessert after a meal. Most people want a piece of pie but they don’t need it. As the definitions above describe; people desire a piece of pie but it not a requirement. A basic meal is a requirement to get your daily nourishment and to keep your body going. Dessert is simply a reward for eating your meal; a way of saying, “Well done!”

Samuel and the Elders

        In 1 Sam. 8, the prophet Samuel got a firsthand lesson in what the Jews wanted as opposed to what they needed. Verses 1-5 tell the story, “Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations".”

        You will notice in verse 5, the people said, ‘make us a king’. That’s essentially the same thing as saying, ‘We WANT a king’. They had no NEED for a king as God was supposed to be their king (vs. 7).

King Saul and the Sacrifice

        Another example of the difference is found a few chapters later in 1 Sam. 13. Saul and the people were waiting for Samuel to arrive to perform the burnt-offering but the prophet delayed in coming. Saul noticed the people were starting to leave and so he took it upon himself to perform the burnt-offering.

        When Samuel finally arrived, he confronted the king about what he just did. Saul’s response is found in verses 11-12, “…And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”

Look at his last statement, ‘I felt compelled to do it’. He had no authority nor did he consult God on the matter. He wanted to offer the burnt offering to keep his people together. Samuel’s response is found in verse 13, And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you…” From this verse we learn that Saul needed to obey the commandments of God rather than do what he wanted.

Conclusion

        When you pray or worship God make sure you know what He needs in regards to these two items. Don’t do it the way you want to and expect God to listen or accept them. Jesus said in Jn. 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” You need to keep His commandments if you love Him; all of them and not just the ones you want.