Self-Sufficiency: Depending on God While Bearing Our Own Load

Self-sufficiency is using one's own efforts and resources to achieve things without relying on others. While healthy self-reliance has its place, this article shows why no one can truly go it alone — and why dependence on God and on one another is not weakness but wisdom.

Bearing Our Own Responsibilities

While inner resourcefulness and self-reliance are to be commended, and we are to bear our own responsibilities — not expecting others to do for us what we can and should do ourselves — there must also be humility to ask for assistance when needed, rather than stubbornly battling along unaided and unsuccessful (Gal 6:5). We need other people in our lives, and there will be some major issues that we can't adequately address alone; most importantly, we can't make heaven without Christ (Jn 14:6).

Totally Dependent on God

We should continually be reliant on God, for on our own we can do nothing of eternal worth. It's only what is inspired by, and done in partnership with, God that achieves lasting results (Zech 4:6; Jn 5:30, 15:5). He is the source of every ability we possess and every provision we enjoy.

Pride causes us to believe we can always do what needs to be done in our own strength, yet it is God who gives us natural ability and salvation — "of His goodness we all have received" (Deut 8:18; Jdg 7:2; Isa 10:13; Jn 1:16; Eph 2:8-9). Excessive or unhealthy independence therefore needs to be dealt with, so we can ask for, and give, assistance in areas which can't be handled alone (Gal 6:2). Likewise, we are to work with all our might, diligently applying ourselves to the task at hand, while also calling out to God for divine help (Neh 4:6, 9, 6:16).

Needing each other helps keep us humble

Interdependence in the Body of Christ

No one can be fully self-sufficient. As the parts of the human body are interdependent, so we need the challenges, comfort, help and accountability that come only as we are intrinsically connected in the body of Christ, just as in our physical bodies (Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 12:12-27). We were not created to struggle alone but to be contributing members of a family, a society and the Kingdom of God (Gen 2:18).

We all have strengths with which we can minister to others, and God distributes His gifts so that no individual has everything — each member supplies what the others lack (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Pet 4:10-11). Yet we also have areas where we are not as proficient, and there our needs become the occasion for someone else's giftedness to bless us. This is how the body functions healthily: sharing our abilities freely and assisting one another gladly, so that what God has placed in each of us flows to those who need it, and no one is left to carry their weakness alone (Gal 6:2; Eph 4:16).

Reflection and Application:

Identify one area where pride has kept you from asking for help, and take a step this week to seek assistance.
Bring a specific task or burden to God in prayer before relying on your own strength.
Thank God daily for the abilities and resources He has given you, acknowledging Him as their source.
Commit to contributing actively in your church family, both giving and receiving help.