Need vs want is a common lesson that adults try to instill in the young, especially teenagers. We try to teach them to focus on what is most important. We suggest they focus on developing their skills and education and not worry about having the latest phone or the nicest car. We suggest they work on being a better person, learn healthy habits to improve their diet, and to exercise. We shake our heads when they make the wrong choices.

If we as adults are disciplined then we pat ourselves on the back for eating healthy, exercising, saving for retirement, and not chasing after the Jones' latest vacation. But what if these things are really only more ways for us to chase idols? What if these are actually the wants of the self proclaimed superior? If our desire to prove we are worthy focuses on our physical and financial success, aren't we really continuing a long tradition of putting our self interests before others?

Now I am not saying you shouldn't take care of yourself. I am not saying anything goes. I am not saying you should stop all planning and efforts for your financial and physical health. But are we making them the point instead of a means of better reaching what should be the point? When we see these as the end goal, when we see these as the only goal, then aren't we forgetting that they are a means to an end.

If we listen to the teaching of Jesus, there is one true need and everything else is a want. If we work to be closer to God by following the path of Jesus and loving all of God's creation, this will lead us to a closer relationship with God. Everything else is trust and faith come what may. If we are honest with ourselves diet and exercise are better than not, but they do not guarantee good health. They are good choices, but they do not offer us a relationship that promises anything. If we work hard, we hope to be financially stable and have a decent standard of living, but that is not a guarantee either. Come what may in a life of uncertainty, the teachings of Jesus are very clear. Love God and all of his creation with all of your heart. Everything else is a want.

Prayer and worship focused on loving God builds a relationship. And as with all healthy relationships human and holy, our desire is to be loved, to be trusted, and to reciprocate. Cares about clothes, money, fame, possessions and admiration of all kinds will all fade no matter how much we wanted them. If we take care of ourselves and our health as a means of being better able to help our neighbors then we are meeting the one need that has been asked of us.

Lord, please help us to place Your command to love our neighbors as ourselves at the heart of all we do. Help us to understand that everything we do, think, and say is possible because You have given us the ability to do, think and say. May we show our love and understanding of Your command by helping our neighbors and sharing what we have been given, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.