Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Christianity

The is a theory in Psychology called. Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It is represented in the shape of a pyramid, where the largest and lowest levels of needs at the bottom, and the need for self-actualization at the top. I was recently asked where does Christianity fit into this pyramid.
Firstly a quick summary of the different levels in the hierarchy.
1) Self Actualization - morality, creativity, problem solving etc.
2) Esteem - self esteem, confidence, achievement, respect etc.
3) Love/Belonging - friendship, family etc.
4) Safety - security, employment, etc.
5) Physiological - breathing, food, water etc.

For more in depth info i refer you to wikipedia

But what I wanted to highlight where our relationship with God fits into this hierarchy. Some may feel its in "Love/Belonging" as its a relationship. Or maybe in "Safety" as we feel safe when we know God is always with us.

But I believe that our relationship is the single most important thing in our lives and therefore would be in "Physiological". This category defines itself as "they are the literal requirements for human survival". While some people may not believe a life with Christ is not a requirement for survival, these people are unfortunately blinded to the truth

Jesus said in John 14:6 -
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is two important things to consider here. Jesus is the truth and the life. Without Jesus, we lead a purposeless life, for we are created for a purpose and our lives where planned out before we were even conceived, as it says in Psalm 139:16 -
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!
Secondly no one can come before the Father except through Christ. We are dead unless we accept Jesus Christ as our personal saviour. For He died on the cross for our sins, therefore unless we have relationship with Christ, we are still condemned for our sins. In Romans 6:23 it states this -
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therefore we must recognise that our relationship with God is vital to our existence, its the reason why we are here on Earth. God created each of us for a purpose, a much greater purpose than you could imagine. Therefore we need to be desperate for the ways of God and hunger for His word and follow His heart. For when we open our hearts to God and accept Jesus as our almighty savior, we step in the realm of eternal life and the great promises God has made.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
(1 Peter 2:24)

3 comments:

Lilly said...

It seems that the Bible is an encyclopaedia. Can I find answers to all the fundamental questions about life that are bugging me in it? Maybe I should spend time reading the Bible.

Jus@Melb said...

The Bible is like a handbook to living life. It is the only book you need in order to live an awesome life

mukundie said...

I believe Maslow's study on human needs and the hierarchy he gives to them is valid.

At any given point or level, we have these needs in our lives but as Christians we must be able to realise who can and will meet our needs be it food, clothing...

God is able to meet one's desire even for, for example, sex by giving you a wife. The bible says wealth and prosperity come from parents but a good wife comes from God.

It simply means that any and every one of those needs, God is more than capable to meet. How i wish all Christians will go right to the top where there is self actualization, in ministry and prosperity and our other God given talents will be met.