We are taught Maslow's hierarchy of needs: physical, safety, love/belonging, esteem and finally self-actualization. But, according to scripture this isn't God's way. We can be well fed but miserable. We can put up all safety measures like alarms and cameras, but it is a false security. We hear all songs about love but they are usually about loss or wanting it. We are told to have self-esteem but still 97% of young girls have body issues of accepting themselves as they are.
God's way is based in Him and His Word.
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
Here are God's Hierarchy of Needs:
#1 Acknowledge who we are and who God is -- we are sinners. He is God Almighty, perfect in all ways.
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Mark 10:21
Jesus loved the rich young man. He knew his riches were what was holding him to the world and not letting him follow God fully. Is something in your life holding you to the world and stopping you from following Christ fully?
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." Philippians 3:7-9
Any gain in this world, if we embrace it, is a loss to our faith. We need to set Self aside and follow Jesus fully.
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
#2 Reconciliation between us and God and us and others.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:16-19
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6
#3 Understand the love of God through the Spirit.
We aren't enough -- so what. God's love completes us!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
We are to be overflowing with love and hope! If we don't understand how much God loves us how can we be vessels of love and hope? The world needs his hope and love.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4
#4 We need fellowship with each other.
We always can do more together than alone.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
"As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
#5 Physical needs -- God knows what we need
We don't need to dwell on our physical needs. God will take care of them.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34
We don't need to scramble to get our needs met. God will take care of these for us. He loves us.
#6 Safety.
We need safety of course, but our true safety is ifound in God.
"In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord's prayer shows this list too!
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
#1. Father -- acknowledge him and who we are.
#2 Our daily needs.
#3 Reconciliation
#4 Safety
God's way is based in Him and His Word.
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
Here are God's Hierarchy of Needs:
#1 Acknowledge who we are and who God is -- we are sinners. He is God Almighty, perfect in all ways.
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Mark 10:21
Jesus loved the rich young man. He knew his riches were what was holding him to the world and not letting him follow God fully. Is something in your life holding you to the world and stopping you from following Christ fully?
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." Philippians 3:7-9
Any gain in this world, if we embrace it, is a loss to our faith. We need to set Self aside and follow Jesus fully.
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
#2 Reconciliation between us and God and us and others.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:16-19
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6
#3 Understand the love of God through the Spirit.
We aren't enough -- so what. God's love completes us!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
We are to be overflowing with love and hope! If we don't understand how much God loves us how can we be vessels of love and hope? The world needs his hope and love.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4
#4 We need fellowship with each other.
We always can do more together than alone.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
"As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
#5 Physical needs -- God knows what we need
We don't need to dwell on our physical needs. God will take care of them.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34
We don't need to scramble to get our needs met. God will take care of these for us. He loves us.
#6 Safety.
We need safety of course, but our true safety is ifound in God.
"In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord's prayer shows this list too!
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
#1. Father -- acknowledge him and who we are.
#2 Our daily needs.
#3 Reconciliation
#4 Safety
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