How do you draw the line between needs and wants?
By mayrah
@mayrah (1144)
United States
October 22, 2008 9:34am CST
In our highly materialistic world, it is difficult to convince ourselves that we can be happy without stuff. Without the nicest house, the coolest CD player, the sharpest clothes. If we are honest we all struggle with the perception that things are the key to happiness. But when we start to truly dedicate our life to our Creator, we will find out that it's not really material things that would make us truly happy. And happiness we can gain from that material thing are just temporary. But in serving God we can find an eternal joy. Now just want to ask you--What is your top priority? How do you draw the line between needs and wants?
5 responses
@ememCz (139)
• Philippines
22 Oct 08
As I read your thoughts about this I honestly read it over and over again. I am having a hard time to compare the needs vs dedication of our life to God. Both are in diffent levels and no one can compete with the happiness from our Creator. Setting priorities are also on different angles. It's like I will buy material things because that would let me have comfortable life. Just don't be abusive of all the material things and don't forget your obligations to God.
@mayrah (1144)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Hello ememCz, Pardon for the confusion, but we're not comparing here our needs vs dedication to God. But because to be honest most us are fascinated by the beauty of possessing material things, and we thought that It could make us really happy, temporarily yes, but that happiness won't last long and the genuine joy can only come from God. And so what we are comparing here is the joy we could gain from material things vs joy we could gain from dedicating ourselves to serve God. And when we start serving God, we would be satisfied with completing our needs and and our wants would be our last priority.
@karamellized (680)
• Philippines
22 Oct 08
Needs are those material stuff that we can not live or let go of, and we let go of those stuff we end depriving ourselves a healthy body -- needs are usually in the form of food, shelter and clothing. Wants on the other hand are the stuff that if we fail to buy we still are in one piece. 
@daydreamer20 (1688)
• Malaysia
22 Oct 08
Always list down the things that you want to buy - the WANTS and not the NEEDS. NEEDS, just buy them because you need them. WANTS, you can always control yourselves and go through the list that you've made. Start asking yourselves whether you can live without it or is there another way that you can find something similar at cheaper price. Always minimize the WANTS, and if you really want it, then think of some way to earn the money for it or just find cheaper option.
