Needful, the One Thing – Charles Spurgeon

SITTING at Jesus’ feet, that is the first and only necessity. Now, I see all around me a crowd of things alluring and fascinating. Pleasure calls to me; I hear her syren song—but I reply, “I cannot regard you, for necessity presses upon me to hearken to another voice.” Philosophy and learning charm me; gladly would I yield my heart to them, but while I am yet unsaved the one thing needful demands my first care, and wisdom bids me give it. Not that we love human learning less, but eternal wisdom more. Pearls? Yes. Emeralds? Yes; but bread, in God’s name—bread at once, when I am starving in the desert! What is the use of ingots of gold, or bars of silver, or caskets of jewels, when food is wanting? If one thing be needful, it devours, like Aaron’s rod, all the matters which are merely pleasurable. All the fascinating things on earth may go, but needful things we must have.