What Do I Truly Need?

"My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

In looking at the previous verses, Paul is expressing his appreciation to the church in Philippi for giving to him during his traveling.  They were the only church at that time helping to support Paul.  Paul then says what the verse above is...that God will supply all their needs.  I like how Paul doesn't just say God, but he starts off with "My God" showing a sense of belonging; bringing a more personal touch.  Paul tells the Philippians that because of their generosity in giving to him, God would provide for their needs.

God provided for my most crucial need, that of salvation, when He sent His Son, Jesus to die and shed blood to cover my sin.  My physical needs pale in comparison to my spiritual need when I look at the big picture.  

This verse uses the word "needs" not "wants."  So often, I have to catch myself when I say that I "need" something.  When I really think about it, what do I genuinely need to survive in this world?  Food, water, clothing (or some type of warmth or protection from the weather).  In Matthew 6:31 - 34, Jesus states, 

"So do not worry..." (this goes back to the verse from a couple days ago about giving everything to God) "saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  (NIV)  

What does Jesus command me to do here?  I am to seek His kingdom and righteousness first, then these things (food, water, clothing) will be given to me.  I have to get my priorities in line and put God at the front of what I seek and long for.  I have to come to the realization that I need God. Does God always give me what I need when I ask? No. He knows exactly the right moment when to supply those needs.  It could be it's not something I truly need at that time, or  it could be that He's teaching me to trust and stretching my faith.  I have found that the more I seek God and put my focus on Him, my thoughts begin to line up with God's and the less I feel that I "need."  

No matter how poor or rich I am on this earth, nothing can surpass the riches of Christ! I need to remember to seek Him first in my daily life.  I need to fill myself with the "bread of life" (John 6:48) before filling up on the "food" of this world.