Article May 29, 2017 Issue

Meeting needs of all kinds

Jeff Shepard

Christ Jesus tells us, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:8).

So, what specific “things” might this refer to? It can seem that our needs are fully met when we receive something physically tangible: a job, a car, a coat, and so on. Certainly, such things can be important, even necessary. But does getting more stuff, in and of itself, satisfy our needs in the fullest possible way? Not necessarily.

The Bible tells us that God created man in His image. As the image of God, infinite Spirit, our real identity is spiritual, not physical or mortal, and is complete, lacking nothing. God’s creation cannot be added to; it is already finished, complete (see Genesis 2:1) and “very good” (Genesis 1:31). What we most truly need is a growing understanding of this spiritual reality, which also enables us to discern solutions that meet our human needs.