Dear , 
  
                       THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WANTS AND NEEDS
Do you have a difficult time separating wants from needs?  Do you feel the desire to accumulate more things? Many persons do! On the other hand, do you ever look at what you have accumulated over the years, the sheer volume of it, and feel overwhelmed? Houses are built with additional storage space because so many have accumulated so much. In addition to that, many persons rent or lease units in storage facilities because they do not have enough room in the house to store all their possessions. WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH?
Do you ever stop to assess your life? Do you ask, "what is life about, why do I exist?" Is our purpose for living to consume and collect as much as we can, to find as much pleasure as possible while here on earth? Does life have a higher purpose than this?  How do you understand your life's purpose? Can we be content when our needs are being met and not feel that we must satisfy all our wants as well?  What is your mission in life?  These questions and many other similar questions are very important.
In looking at the lives of those around me and also at my own life, I have come to realize that many of us have never taken the time to ask some of these questions. The society in which we live tells us that our purpose is to consume and collect as much as possible: "The one with the most toys, wins!" Society says, "Make as much money as possible, spend as much money as possible, and when the money is gone find other ways to accumulate still more things even though we have no good idea as to how we will pay for these things." We are bombarded by advertisers who tell us that we "need" certain things to live. The truth is that most of the  things we think we need, are really things we want or desire.
We often live life as did the Prodigal Son in the story which Jesus told. The Prodigal came to his father saying, "Give me the part of the inheritance which is rightfully mine." We too feel that we deserve whatever we can consume and collect. But is this the purpose for which we were created?
 Do you remember the story of Abraham in the Old Testament scriptures? It is recorded in the twelfth chapter of the Book of Genesis. God says to Abraham: "I have chosen you. I will bless you. You are blessed to be a blessing."(paraphrase of vs.1-3) 
That is God's message to His people in every generation. That is His vision and purpose for our lives. God desires that we enjoy life. But too many have been seeking that enjoyment in trying to consume and accumulate for ourselves. Real joy comes not in transforming  all of our wants into needs, but rather in meeting the needs of those near and dear to us, AND also finding ways to meet the needs of  others, who are perhaps in even greater need that we are. That's why we emphasize Missions and seek to  be a 50/50 Church, where we do as much for others as we do for ourselves. We are not there, yet, but with your help we can be!
 
WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!
                                                                                                Dick Reese