I've said before that I was raised by a single mother. Money was always in short supply. I had a pretty good idea about what needs really were and that the rest were wants.
My first album was Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell". I found it laying on the ground on my way home from school one day. It was an eight track tape. I wore that thing out. (I've noticed, while recording my current CD, that it still influences me today) My second record was The Sugarhill Gang's first record. I bought that in the sixth grade. I didn't own any other music until I was in high school and had a paper route. I had to make due with the local radio stations and MTV - when I was at a friend's house. We didn't have cable.
I am always amazed to find what my kids "need". My eleven year old has a laptop. I was told he "needed" it for school. My daughter has more clothes than will fit in her walk in closet and six dresser drawers. She tells me often that she needs more clothes because she has nothing to wear!
I have several friends who are or were missionaries. They tell me that if I have more than one set of clothing I am richer than fifty percent of the world. My kids don't want to hear it. My eleven year old thinks I am depriving him because he doesn't have a cell phone.
Currently, our culture programs us to believe we need all kinds of things that did not exist fifty years ago. One strategy I often use is to ask my kids, "How did the human race ever survive without going to the movies. If going to the movies is a need, shouldn't we have died out long ago?" My kids don't think I'm funny.
I've explained to them over and over that our needs are air, food, water, shelter and clothes. Everything else is just a want. Like every other kid in America they don't buy it.
So, I just deal with each issue as it comes up. And I've also learned that it is perfectly healthy and OK to tell them, "I know you really want this and you even feel entitled to it but, it is not in the budget."
"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."
Matthew 6:31-33
NLT
I've had my children memorize this verse. It seems to be the one they forget the quickest! I've had them come with me on lots of "street ministry" when we minister to the homeless. I've told them stories of how poor I was as a kid. Sometimes I get discouraged because I think it is not working. They aren't getting it. But, then I remember that I want them to have a better life than I have. I want them to take advantage of living in the land of opportunity. I want them to want a better life for themselves and their children.
Does an abundance of money and things give you a better life? No. But, if used correctly, money and things can make your life far easier.
So living in a material world while trying to live a spiritual life is a paradox that my children and I both need to be guided through. I think prayerfully and thoughtfully applying the scriptures to our lives is an excellent way to do this.
I've been told that a ship sailing for a distant port is almost never directly on course. It needs to be adjusted constantly by the pilot. I believe our lives are basically the same.
That's my view from here.
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