Need or Want

It has gotten to the point in America where the line has been blurred when it comes to basic needs and what we want. Many things we need are bypassed for things that we want. Many things that we used to classify as wants are now considered needs.

There was a time when we understood what needs were. Everything else was considered a luxury.

The first thing that we all thought was needed was a relationship with God. It did not matter what we did in our lives most people believed in God. That may still be the case, but somehow it does not seem to be expressed as much.

Then there were the basic needs. Food, clothing and shelter. No matter one’s lot in life, the first thing all of us wanted to do during the day was provide for our families and anyone else we could help.

The goal was to shelter everyone from harm and danger. Family first. Many of the houses were barely big enough to accommodate the families that lived in them. Then if a person did not have a home of their own a relative or friend would take them in. No questions asked.

All put having food on the table ahead of everything else. Not a mother in town wanted their children to go hungry. And all the women would feed anyone who walked into their home. If the community knew of someone who needed food, they would find a way to provide it.

This was the same with clothing. We only bought new ones when needed. Accessories were out of the question. If people could not afford to buy new clothes, they could count on others to give them the ones they no longer wore. Sometimes the so-called hand me downs were better than what we bought in the store.

Every family would put these basic needs above everything else. Before buying a new car. Before buying a new television. Before buying anything that was not considered a necessity. It was understood that needs came before wants.

There was an understanding as to what was a want and a need. There was an understanding that needs were needs and luxuries were anything we wanted that was not a need.

Now, it seems as though everything is considered a need. The television in every room is a necessity. The extra automobile when only two people can drive. Everyone must have their own phone. Each phone must do more than just make and accept calls. Houses are getting bigger and bigger.

We reach into our pockets and use credit cards to buy things that years ago we simply did without. It appears we never have enough.

Though it is nice to have the extra car, cell phone, big house and television in every room we must always remember that for years people got along without them.

It was understood that they were wants. It was understood that they were luxuries. That does not seem to be the case in America today.

Today, the line between a want and a need has been blurred beyond recognition.