Needs VS. Wants Redux: How to resist ‘wants’
Needs VS. Wants Redux: How to resist ‘wants’
A reader of my blog asked, “How to stand against the temptation of wants?” Here is my answer:
The basic economic question has always been, how to satisfy unlimited wants with relatively scarce resources. The answer is so simple. You don’t! No one can have it all. NO ONE! Not even Bill Gates. After you spent your last dollar, the human mind can still tell you, “I want THAT too.” Better to stop wanting and to learn to be happy with what you have.
The questions is, “How?” Here are 4 options:
1) Compare yourself to the 12,000 who will die TODAY because they have no food. Are you doing pretty well by comparison? So do you really NEED what you are considering to buy?
2) Try my ’1/2 exercise’. Imagine your income is 1/2 as much as you make now. Would you still buy this item you are considering? If not, don’t buy it.
3) Ask yourself, “What else could I do with my money.” Rather than buy the skirt, shirt, sandals, Swatch or Sony, what else could you do with the money? Invest in Sony shares or in gold? Save 10 human lives? Help put a teenager through University… investing in a mind? Build a library in a 3rd world country? Maybe you’ll find a better USE for that money and a change in life focus.
An example of a man who NOT thinking this way: A local tycoon lost $100 million at the casino in one day. He could have saved the lives of 1 million people forever but he thought a few hours of ‘entertainment’ was worth more to him. I’m sure God will have a talk with him about this when he dies.
4) Pray about it. My bride and I pray about all major purchases and for guidance about the direction of our plans and finances. There is a lot more peace in the decisions that follow.
Sorry there is no easy answer to this. The world is full of ‘want temptation’. The media tells us how ‘bad’ we are for not having the latest designer bag or the fanciest car. The world judges us by what we own rather than who we are… children of God. Many parents even value their children by their test scores and which school they get into rather than the smiles and hugs received from them.
It all boils down to a decision. Decide to play the game by the world’s rules or play by God’s rules. Either give into your wants or decide to want what God gives you. Personally, I ONLY want what God wants for me. THAT is what I need.
Smile Makers and Thought Provokers:
Mark Twain once said, “A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.”
Geoffrey F. Albert wrote, ”Prosperity depends more on wanting what you have than having what you want.”
Got comments or questions about needs and wants? Just leave your comments here.
