Article January 28, 1939 Issue

"These things shall be added"

JOHN MURRAY BURRISS

It is, of course, trite, but generally true, to say that one's needs are one thing and one's wants another thing. It is also generally true that the needs of one individual would perhaps be in excess of the needs of another, since, in any case, needs are not limited to food, clothing, and shelter, but include whatever is necessary to enable one properly to fulfill the duties of his particular station in the human scheme of things.

Considered in the light of his human welfare, the needs of an individual are generally accounted those things which are essential to sustain him; while, considered in relation to his spiritual welfare, one's needs consist of those qualities which not only are necessary to his spiritual growth, but at the same time harmonize his human experience. Hence the force of Jesus' injunction, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"—words which seem clearly to imply that "these things" could not interfere with, but would follow, one's spiritual development. So it is quite evident that while one's needs include nothing that would hinder the of spirituality in his thinking, they embrace whatever is essential to his human experience. This is also clearly implied in Jesus' further statement: "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."

One thing which seems to make the question of supply difficult of solution is the universal belief that supply consists for the greater part of material things which can be procured, in most instances, only in exchange for money; and that if the individual has little or no money he has little or no supply; in other words, that money governs and apportions supply. There is also associated with this problem the generally accepted belief that one is dependent for his supply upon some other individual. So when, for instance, an employee is informed by his employer that his services can no longer be utilized, the employee at once feels and fears that his supply has been cut off, through circumstances or conditions over which he has no control.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Eternal Now
January 28, 1939
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit