A tool I have used through the years when teaching both Bible and ministry classes is from the psychologist Abraham Maslow. He developed a pyramid illustrating mankind’s hierarchy of needs. Although he was not a Christian, I find his identification of needs helpful. If you have never seen his diagram, imagine a pyramid divided into five sections. The largest section is the base and the four above it get progressively smaller until the smallest is at the top of the pyramid. The largest at the bottom represents our greatest needs with the smallest section at the top representing the least of our needs. According to Maslow, the greatest need of man is Physiological, which is air, food, and water. In the smaller section above is Safety such as the need for shelter, clothing, and protection from danger. The section above this is again smaller which he labels Belonging or the need of love and belonging to a group. Above that, still smaller or less of a need, is Self-esteem. At the top of the pyramid is the smallest or the least of one’s needs and what he calls Self-actualization or achieving individual potential. In my teaching, I modified this by adding another section below the base of Physiological needs. According to the Bible, our greatest need is spiritual.
Jesus had fasted for 40 days and was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE (Luke 4:3, 4).'” In other words, Jesus tells Satan there is something greater that his physiological need for food—obedience to the Word of God. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ . . . for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:31-33). Again, greater that physiological and safety (clothing), is seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. When Jesus and his disciples passed through Samaria, they stopped at Jacob’s well. While the disciples went to get food, He spoke with a Samaritan woman and presented himself as the Messiah. She believed and went back to town to tell others. The disciples were surprised when they returned that Jesus did not want anything to eat. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work (John 4:34).
I plan to write several lessons on our hierarchy of needs in the coming weeks. Jesus tells us not to worry about the two basic needs for survival, physiological and safety, because when we are seeking to do God’s will, the Father will add everything we do need. Simply put, God is saying, “do my will, and I’ve got you covered for the rest.”
By far the most enjoyable mission’s trip I took was my last trip to Ghana. I was scheduled to be there for three weeks teaching in locations all across Ghana and Togo. When I arrived and headed towards customs with my Passport in hand—seldom a pleasant experience—a man began tapping on the glass separating the restricted area where I was and the open area where he was. I realized this stranger was trying to get my attention. He began motioning me toward the Diplomatic entrance. I thought this must be a scam or a really cruel joke. Then a custom’s officer, who apparently knew this man, came over and escorted me to the Diplomatic Passport officer. He glanced at my paperwork, gave it the official stamp, welcomed me, and never even looked at my luggage. Then I met this stranger and he explained. A wealthy businessman in Ghana discovered I was coming. His ministry was taking care of visiting missionaries. For three weeks, he supplied a big SUV with a driver, a place to stay in his guesthouses every night, and three meals every day from his chef. I did not have to spend one penny. Every possible need I could imagine was supplied because I was there to do God’s will in this Ghanaian man’s country. He had me covered. How much greater does God have us covered, when we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and note the Father is immeasurably wealthy.
Paul writes a verse in Philippians that has probably strengthened and sustained every believer at some point in time. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Note he says, according to His riches, not out of His riches. This means that we cannot have a need too great for God to supply. His riches are inexhaustible.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
Put God and His will first in your life and watch Him take care of the rest.