But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you - Jesus Christ (Matt. 6:33
Renown psychologist, Abraham Maslow, noticed something interesting while he was working with monkeys early in his career. Through his research it became evident that some needs took precedence over others. His findings gave rise to what is now famously known as the Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. This hierarchy consists of five broad layers one building on top of the other in a pyramid fashion. The needs represented in this hierarchy are: the physiological needs, the need for safety and security, the need for love and sense of belonging, the esteem needs and the need for self-actualization.
Maslow conjectured that once a particular need is justified, an individual will then seek to satisfy the next higher need in the pyramid, thus continually moving on until the peak is reached. At which point all needs would have been fulfilled.
Briefly, Physiological needs to consists of the need to maintain life. This includes the need for oxygen, food, water and all other substances needed to sustain life. This is the most basic of all needs.
After such physiological needs have been taken care of, the need for safety and security becomes a priority. This includes ensuring ones living and working environment are free from extreme physical threats.
The need to love and be loved arises after the former needs have been met. The fulfilment of one's desire for affection and belonging is acted upon through the formation of friendships, finding a spouse and having children for example.
Next there is the need for self-esteem. Maslow notes that there are two versions of esteem needs. He designated one as lower esteem and the other as higher esteem. Lower esteem involves the need for respect of others and higher esteem involves the need for self respect.
The final need on the hierarchy is the need for self-actualization. This deals with one's desire to realize their full potential and becoming the best they are capable of becoming.
From the study of Maslow's theory I have observed that the successful movement of one need-level to the next can be achieved by totally relying on God. It is written that we should "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added" unto us. Unfortunately we get caught in the things around us instead of the things above us. The end result is a loss of everything we hold dear; our family, our home, our career and sometimes even our self-esteem. Christ said in Matthew 16:26, "for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
Let us then build our success and future on a foundation that will always be there to "supply all our needs as His riches are in glory" and in so doing we will not gain the things we cannot keep for what we can not lose. In this we will find the joy God has for us.