Psalm 23:1 and Philippians 4:10-20

      The second Noble Truth of Buddhism stipulates that all suffering is caused by wanting.  Our cravings as humans lead to discontent.  From a Buddhist perspective, desire is the enemy of human happiness.

       Yet, desire can’t be all that bad.  Without desire one wouldn’t have the ambition to push through the rigors of college and graduate with a baccalaureate degree.  If it weren’t for the desire to compete, many athletes would fail to excel at their particular sport.  Apart from the desire for beauty, many of the great works of art would have never been created.

       Paul claimed that he had learned how to be content in every circumstance, whether or not he had plenty or little upon which to live.  Desire didn’t seem to be a problem for Paul nor did he consider his wants to be evil.  Paul’s message is that of establishing one’s priorities.  Eliminating desire completely from the human condition is not only impossible it would be devastating to humanity’s relationship with God. 

       Paul was content because his primary want was God.  Every other want he had was subordinate to God.  In other words, wanting is a matter of precedence.  Jesus encouraged his disciples to seek a right relationship with God first then our most noble desires would be granted to us (see Matthew 6:33).

       With deference to my Buddhist friends, wanting isn’t the source of all evil.  Wanting can be a very good thing when placed in proper order.  In fact, wanting can lead to authentic happiness when it is divinely directed.

        Besides, the life of austerity never has been God’s goal for humanity.  God has given to us the pleasures of this world for our enjoyment.  The secret to contentment, however, is to never allow the Giver to take a back seat to His gifts.