God Is Self-Sufficient
Part 4 of a 15-part series on the attributes of God.
"For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself." John 5:26
In the Old Testament, when God had to discipline His people, He often sent famines — food shortages. Why? To show everyone, rich or poor, that no one is self-sufficient. It didn't matter if you were the most powerful person in society or the poorest — no one is self-sufficient. We're all dependent on things outside ourselves just to survive.
God, on the other hand, needs nothing. He is complete in Himself. Because this is true of Him, I can go to Him for every need and never have to worry that God is going to "run out" of anything. Wells can dry up, store shelves can go empty, cars can run out of gas — but my God is a never-ending fountain of goodness, peace, mercy, and grace, and He can meet my physical needs as well.
Paul Knew This Firsthand
Paul was not speaking in vain when he said:
"And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19, CSB
This was the same man who, just a few verses before, said:
"I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12, CSB
If anyone knew the extremes of need and blessing, it was Paul — and through all of it, he knew that his God was self-sufficient and therefore all-sufficient. That is the God you and I serve.
— Brother Glenn
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.