The Only Thing I Need

Is there a more widespread fear in America today than the fear of insufficiency?

From the minor to the major, it’s constant. Is there enough milk left in the fridge? Enough gas in the car for the day’s travels? Enough money in the bank for this month’s bills? Enough time to finish the current work project? Enough hands to finish it? (My mother used to lament, “If I just had one more hand…”).

The Apostle Paul addressed such fear in Hebrews 13:5. Here’s the Amplified Version – a bit cumbersome to read but the best for understanding exactly what the Greek was saying:

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and carving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied in your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

In Word Studies, Bible scholar Kenneth West states that three negatives precede the verb “leave.” God will not, not, not leave me helpless or forsake me. It’s utterly unthinkable!

The question is, Whose agenda am I following – who decides what my needs are? If God is in charge, He might take away something it seems I need. Will I trust Him then? Will I trust Him now?

The Christian group 4Him sings a wonderful song with this line in the chorus: The only thing I need I already have.” (View the song)

“The only thing I need I already have.” Tell the Lord that today – and mean it! Repeat it to yourself when the fear of insufficiency arises. Post it at your workplace. Have it written on your checks! Just having Him is enough to make each of us rich beyond calculation.