13May2009 Luke 15:14

¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

Being in need has gotten a very bad rap! Being in need can be a very powerful teacher. We can learn that there is something more than money! Money has its place in the world and in our lives, but we must work hard to keep it in its limited place. When we don’t actively guard against money taking over our lives, it will take over our life. It will influence every decision toward gaining and keeping more wealth. Money is just a tool that God blesses us with in order that he might be able to pass blessings through us to others. Money was never meant to be horded. In the midst of need we can learn this powerful lesson. But of course many never learn this lesson. Instead, they elevate money to an even higher rung in their ladder. In their need, they cling and strive for money with an even greater urgency. Since they rebel against the need, they decide they will never allow themselves to be in that spot again, and they spend their life and energy working toward that goal. What a waste of a life! Need can also teach us the importance of relationships, with God and with other people. The younger son in our verse had left all this family and friends and was now in a foreign country all alone. He had bought friends with his money, and now that the money was gone, so were the friends. Real friends aren’t bought with money. That is a powerful lesson need can teach. Need can teach us the fleeting nature of money and life. It is here one moment and gone the next. That is why we must make every moment count. We only have so many moments. Every one we waste is wasted forever. So next time need comes your way, what lessons will you have learned that have prepared you to survive the storm of need?