In the Western world many people are marinating in financial luxury – lacking nothing except time, not wealth, that delays them from getting their hands on the next item on their ever-growing list of wants. We live in a want-driven world!

What’s wrong with being a want-driven person? Consider this thought provoking saying: ‘You may get what you want, but you may not want what you get’. (This is worth digesting slowly as its implication is loaded with a crucial warning!)

King David’s son, Absalom, was a want-driven character. He wanted his father’s crown, and so he took steps to undermine the rule and authority of his father by firstly ‘stealing the hearts of all the people of Israel’ (2 Samuel 15:6). He didn’t stop there – He then ‘sent secret messages to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against his father’ (15:10). By hook or by crook, Absalom was desperate to get his hands on his father’s crown. Incidentally, David didn’t ask for the nation’s crown, nor did he want it – The Lord chose him to be king (1 Sam.16:13)!

The story of Absalom didn’t end well. After getting what he wanted through driving his father out of the palace, Absalom, didn’t want what he got! Soon after, Absalom led an army against his father in a battle that began in the forest of Ephraim that resulted in his death – Three daggers pierced his heart at the hands of Joab, King David’s trusted general (2 Samuel 15:13 – 18:8).

The story of Absalom is an extreme example of the danger of what can happen if we allow ourselves to driven by desires of wanting ‘the unnecessary’. We start off early in life wanting just little more, not realising our subconscious tendency is to wanting more and more of everything… position, power, privilege, prestige, popularity, and possessions. Why? By nature, we are self-gratifying beings.  

Satisfaction in life does not result from the pursuit of wants but from pursuing something more important. Jesus says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).

Friends, it’s not wrong to have more than you need. It’s wrong only when driven by desires to want more. David says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire” (Psalm 37:4). In God’s Family, we don’t ever need to want for anything! Why? You and I are joint-heirs with Jesus of the wealth and glory of God (Romans 8:17)! So, be careful – Keep want-desires under control as you already have everything that is good, satisfying every healthy desire. 

Best wishes, 

Bill Joukhadar