I've been struggling lately (ok, for a long time) with what, precisely, are the needs of a Christian.
Because on the one hand, Christians are humans. We have a need for air, food, clothing, etc, just like non-Christians. And Matthew 6:8 seems to suggest that Jesus knows that we have needs - and so does the Father!
But then there's all those verses about not needing food or drink once you have the Bread of Life or Living Water. There's Luke 10, where Jesus sends the disciples out with absolutely nothing. There's the definite New Testament sense that a person literally has no needs if he is following Christ.
So what am I to do with the fact that I need more income than I currently have? Or that I need somebody to let me lay my head on their shoulder or just hug me for a few minutes? Or that I need somebody to listen to me say every crazy scared mixed up thing that's in my head and then tell me that even though it's not okay, I am okay.
Every time I try to articulate those needs, the voice in my head says, "Why is it always all about you? You need to get it together because you are a Christian and you have no needs - Jesus is all you need. There are other people who have much bigger problems and needs than you, and some of them aren't even Christian."
On my better days, I know that's not a healthy approach, but still...what's the right balance here?
Anybody?
1 comment:
The Fourth Petition.
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked men; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?--Answer.
Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
Does this help?
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My Comments Policy: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23