Beware the New “Needs”

“To do your work properly, you need an iPhone.”

“I really need a high-definition TV.”

“This internet connection isn’t fast enough. I need to upgrade my plan.”

“You need to get on Facebook.”

These are sample statements that accurately reflect some prominent thinking today. Instead of believing it would be a privilege to have or use some new piece of technology, we think and often boldly proclaim it a “need” – justifying its purchase, use and sometimes misuse. This twisted way of thinking is profitable for gadget manufacturers, software providers and other businesses, but rarely a net-positive for believers in Christ.

If we sit down and honestly contemplate the items that fit into the “need” category, it can be pretty humbling. It should be humbling enough to make us use the word carefully, especially as it relates to the latest technology.

Beware the new needs. They are usually wants, desires and preferences. Let’s use the word “need” as carefully as God would have us use it, rarely (if ever) applying it to new gadgets and gizmos.