In the context of the Bible, "necessities" often refer to the basic needs required for human survival and well-being, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The Scriptures address the concept of necessities in various ways, emphasizing God's provision, the importance of contentment, and the call to care for others.

Divine Provision

The Bible consistently teaches that God is the ultimate provider of all necessities. In the Old Testament, God's provision is evident in the account of the Israelites in the wilderness, where He provided manna and quail for their sustenance (Exodus 16). The psalmist declares, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1), illustrating the trust in God's provision for all needs.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about God's care for His creation, assuring His followers that their needs will be met. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them" (Matthew 6:31-32). This passage encourages believers to trust in God's provision and seek His kingdom first.

Contentment

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of contentment with what one has. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, writes, "I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need" (Philippians 4:12). Paul highlights that contentment is not dependent on material abundance but on reliance on Christ, who strengthens believers.

In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul further instructs, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these" . This teaching underscores the sufficiency of having basic necessities and the spiritual value of contentment.

Caring for Others

The Bible calls believers to be mindful of the needs of others and to act with compassion and generosity. In the early church, the sharing of resources was a practical expression of love and community. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need" .

The Apostle John emphasizes the importance of love in action, stating, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God abide in him?" (1 John 3:17). This call to action reflects the biblical principle that meeting the necessities of others is a demonstration of God's love.

Work and Provision

The Bible also addresses the role of work in providing for one's necessities. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Paul instructs, "If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat" . This teaching highlights the responsibility of individuals to work diligently to meet their own needs and those of their families.

Proverbs 6:6-8 encourages diligence and foresight, using the example of the ant: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest" . This wisdom literature underscores the value of hard work and planning in ensuring that one's necessities are met.

In summary, the Bible presents a comprehensive view of necessities, emphasizing God's provision, the virtue of contentment, the responsibility to care for others, and the importance of diligent work. These principles guide believers in understanding and addressing the basic needs of life within a framework of faith and community.(n.) Plural of Necessity.

For He Himself Also, with an Eye to the Like Necessities of Saints ...
... Section 16. For he himself also, with an eye to the like necessities of
saints? 16. For he himself also, with an eye to the like ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 16 for he himself.htm

That we Ought to Lay Open Our Necessities to Christ and to Require ...
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER XVI That we ought to
lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xvi that we ought.htm

Motives from the Necessities of the Work
The Reformed Pastor. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 3.htm

The Twenty-Second Chapter: Thoughts on the Misery of Man
... To eat and drink, to watch and sleep, to rest, to labor, and to be bound by other
human necessities is certainly a great misery and affliction to the devout man ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twenty-second chapter thoughts on.htm

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
... How many wants are we pressed withal! Our necessities are infinite, and
our enjoyments no ways proportioned to our necessities. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxix whereby we cry.htm

'Give Me to Drink'
... top fixed in heaven. On the one hand, He owns the lowest necessities; on
the other, He makes the highest claims. Let us ponder on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/give me to drink.htm

On the Contemplation of Human Misery
... For to eat, to drink, to watch, to sleep, to rest, to labour, and to be subject
to the other necessities of nature, is truly a great wretchedness and ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxii on the contemplation.htm

Of this Weakness of His, He Saith in Another Place...
... For this himself doth openly show in the second to the Corinthians, speaking
of other Churches supplying his necessities. For he ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 13 of this weakness.htm

That a Clerk Ought not to be Set Over Two Churches.
... To meet the necessities of this life, there are various occupations, by means of
which, if one so desire, let him procure the things needful for the body. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xv that a clerk.htm

Appendix (Referred to in Note 1)
... See also Doddridge, Scott, and Pole's Synopsis, in loco."The meaning of the text
then is simply this:"he who ministers not to the necessities of his aged ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/appendix referred to in note.htm

Necessities (7 Occurrences)
...Necessities (7 Occurrences). ... Acts 2:45 They sold their lands and other property,
and distributed the proceeds among all, according to every one's necessities. ...
/n/necessities.htm - 8k

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)
... is of permanent and universal obligation. The physical necessities of man
require a Sabbath of rest. He is so constituted that his ...
/s/sabbath.htm - 86k

Straits (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in
much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits, (DBY). ...
/s/straits.htm - 9k

Supply (40 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The food, and the like, which meets the daily necessities of an army or
other large body of men; store; -- used chiefly in the plural; as, the army was ...
/s/supply.htm - 21k

Necessity (22 Occurrences)

/n/necessity.htm - 13k

Obedience (61 Occurrences)
... Early, however, the necessities of His mission as Son of God and institutor of the
new dispensation obliged Him frequently to display a judicial antagonism to ...
/o/obedience.htm - 43k

One's (59 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 2:45 They sold their lands and other property, and distributed the
proceeds among all, according to every one's necessities. (WEY). ...
/o/one's.htm - 22k

Occupations (1 Occurrence)
... Titus 3:14 And let our people too learn to set a good example in following honest
occupations for the supply of their necessities, so that they may not live ...
/o/occupations.htm - 6k

Jehovah-jireh (1 Occurrence)
... Isaac (Genesis 22:14). The meaning plainly is that the Lord sees and provides
for the necessities of His servants. There is an allusion ...
/j/jehovah-jireh.htm - 9k

Jehovahjireh (1 Occurrence)
... Isaac (Genesis 22:14). The meaning plainly is that the Lord sees and provides
for the necessities of His servants. There is an allusion ...
/j/jehovahjireh.htm - 9k

Should Christians give away all they possess except for basic necessities? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about anxiety? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong for a Christian to have the goal of being rich and famous? | GotQuestions.org

Necessities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus