One day there springs up the desire for money and for all that money can provide – the superfluous, luxury in eating, luxury in dressing, trifles. Needs increase because one thing calls for another. The result is uncontrollable dissatisfaction. – Mother Teresa
How much do we really need to live a joyful life? How much do we really need to live a life of purpose and meaning? Many times, it seems as though we need so many things. But when we come to think of it again in the light of God’s providence, we come to realize that we don’t really need much.
We only seem to need so many things when we desire what we don’t really need. Do we really need such a big house? Do we really need such a luxurious car?
We may not realize it, but we crave for bigger and greater material things because our souls are so empty within. And that is why sometimes, even if we already possess so much, we’re still unhappy and unsatisfied.
What do we really need? We need the basic necessities of life. We need enough resources to be of help to others. We need sufficient providence to love. Only by loving can our lives have purpose and joy.
“You don’t have, because you don’t ask. You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.” – James 4:2-3, WEB