About 30 years ago, Dr. Kasimir Funk died. Most of us probably do not recognize his name. He was the man who observed that people could eat, but still lack basic nutrition. They know what they want, but not necessarily what they need. He experimented to discover the indispensable elements of nutrition, and finally isolated and named those small chemical substances we now know as vitamins.
People confuse wants and needs on other scales as well.
We gave them what we had wanted, and failed to pass along the character and sense of appreciation that they really need. In Sunday's Gospel lesson, the One who promises to meet the needs of His people also judges them on how they met the needs of others. Here is something to think about for Sunday. When the king in Jesus' parable separates the people to his right and left, those on his right are the ones who fed, clothed, visited, etc., and those on his left are the ones who did not feed, clothe, visit or whatever. Just as starving people may know they want to fill their stomachs, but may not know their need for nutrition, so most people in the world do not know their need for God.