We live in a wants-based economy. There was a time when we used to purchase and invest our time, money, and attention into things we needed...because we needed them. We have become want-focused to a point that most of us struggle to know the difference between our wants and our needs. A needs-based economy has limited growth potential. A wants-based economy has an insatiable growth potential. That's why the market wants us to want things.
Not many of us want to do the necessary work to grow spiritually. Well, at least we don't want it in a way that we have grown accustomed to wanting things. I believe we do long for spiritual growth and deep meaning in our lives. Somewhere inside us, something desires this deep meaning even to the point of needing it. One step towards spiritual growth (and church growth) would be to gain clarity about this vital difference between want and need. The next step would be to nurture what is needed. The church is in the business of spiritual growth, feeding the poor, building community...things we need. Leave the wants to retail.
Not many of us want to do the necessary work to grow spiritually. Well, at least we don't want it in a way that we have grown accustomed to wanting things. I believe we do long for spiritual growth and deep meaning in our lives. Somewhere inside us, something desires this deep meaning even to the point of needing it. One step towards spiritual growth (and church growth) would be to gain clarity about this vital difference between want and need. The next step would be to nurture what is needed. The church is in the business of spiritual growth, feeding the poor, building community...things we need. Leave the wants to retail.
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