The creator of everything, who spoke things into existence, who threw the planets across the solar system, tossed solar systems around the galaxy and blew galaxies across the universe like so many dandelion seeds, does not need anything.
God does not need you to serve him in any way.
He does not need your money.
Or your prayers.
God does not need your worship.
Or your speaking ministry.
God certainly does not need your book.
The sustainer of life who holds us in his hand, who can humble great leaders in an instant, who can cause it to rain, or not…does not need me to work as an agent.
God doesn’t need me or anyone or anything else. He doesn’t need us to supply him with anything.
But we need him for everything.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19, NIV)
The savior of the world who came to earth on his timetable, who lived a short but powerful life as a human, willingly took our sin upon himself along with the accompanying punishment, was crucified, died, buried and rose again from the dead, does not need our books.
But the people for whom he loved so much and sacrificed his Son? He gives them opportunities to join him in his work in the world. The world he made.
It seems to me this invitation to join him in his work is a special privilege, bestowed as a gift. We can talk to, work with and take part in a blessed life of service to the Almighty God, the creator and sustainer of everything seen and unseen.
Sounds like a pretty interesting life if you ask me.
Multiple times in Scripture a situation or problem is presented, then pivots on two words:
“But God…”
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. (Genesis 8:1, NIV)
But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Genesis 45:7, NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NIV)
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. (Galatians 3:18, NIV)
Lots of people would like to write a book, but God inspires authors with creativity, allowing them the incredible joy of joining God’s work in the world using this creativity.
Speaking in front of a group is daunting, but God, the sustainer of life, leads some to speak with power, encouraging and discipling his people.
Writing from a dark place in your life is painful, but God, who defeated death forever, motivates some people to use their writing to build up his children during their darkest hours.
God does not need your book. But he loves it when you exercise your abilities for his glory and not your own.
God does not need your author platform, but when you serve and encourage other people he is pleased you used your time well to build others up.
God does not need your book to become a bestseller, but once in a while he uses something to draw many people to him in a powerful and mighty way.
God grants his children the privilege of joining his work, no matter what you do.
Like writing.
Finally, God does not need you to put in the thousands of hours of work to become a good writer. But through the painstaking process, you see and learn things only total commitment to something worthwhile can reveal.
Fun Fridays – September 1, 2017
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Thanks, Dan, for the post. I have a hunch it’s when we realize we are expendable that God really begins to use us. It is very good news that He will not share His glory with another.
I agree that God does not “need” us, but He has given each of us assigned tasks to accomplish for Him. Could He use another person or even no one at all to accomplish any of them? Of course. He’s God. Are we responsible for taking the assignment and pouring our heart, mind, and strength into getting it done? Absolutely. Jesus made that very clear to his followers, including us.
When He’s given us a task (and sometimes we can be very certain He really did, including writing a specific book and getting it to print where it can do something beyond what we gain ourselves in the writing of it), we’d jolly well better obey the Master and get it done to the point where it can accomplish what He intended. But we don’t ever do that on our own. He’ll provide everything we need to succeed at the right time and in the right way.
If God really did give us the assignment, we shouldn’t refuse to say so. But if we know He didn’t, we’d better not be saying He did. That’s taking the Lord’s name in vain in a big way. That’s serious sin, and I don’t ever want to be guilty of that one.
Dan, you have said so much so concisely. Thanks for the posting.
Thank you. Humbling and calling to mind that our purpose in the vast universe is to sow His eternal seeds in whichever way He chooses.
Thank you. Humbling and calling to mind our purpose in the vast universe is to sow His seeds in whichever way He chooses.
I read the fascinating responses to Dan Balow’s blog about God not needing us or our efforts, and barely resisted the urge to defend him against some of the comments. When I left my computer and walked into kitchen for coffee, there seated at the table in full knightly attire, was Emmett, my inner theologian. I raised my right eyebrow and gave him “the look”. He held his arms out, wrinkled his forehead and demanded “What??”
“You are not going to war on this. At least not dressed like that?”
“You have a problem with my outfit? Everything I’m wearing is biblical. I’ve got the breastplate, the helmet…”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Shield of faith, belt of truth.”
“And..”
“And if you rip the cushion of that chair with your armor, I’m going to be very upset. I’m not insured against knights. Specified perils only. You know, fire and theft, that kind of thing.”
“There are more important issues at stake here than your temporal possessions. I thought you would know that.”
I pulled a K-cup from the box and loaded the machine. “Yes, you’re right. Which is why I’m not sending you into battle.”
He stood up. “Excuse me?” As he did, a distinct sound of fabric shredding, cut the air. He pretended to ignore it.
“You think you’re suited up because you fulfilled Ephesians six. But you forgot the exhortation to the Corinthians, that above all these things to put on love. If you had done that, you would be rescuing the brethren from the snare of the enemy, and not beating them into a stupor, doing his work for him. Aaand… I would not be out of a dining room chair. That’s a matched set you know!”
He looked down at the slain cushion, then looked back at me with an awkward expression. “God will supply all your needs” he said.
“Yes, He will,” I replied. “And He has supplied me with a heart bursting with love, that doesn’t need to stroke my ego to make my point. Now go put it on, before you step one foot out of this house.” He looked at me silently for a long moment, then turned to head back to the bedroom.
“And toss me some creamers before you go. They don’t have to be sweet, but they should at least be rich. I love my coffee, but black is just too bitter.””
*Cough* *sputter*
Emmett? Like Andy Taylor’s friend the handyman? Methinks you got him confused with someone named Clive Staples. Or Gilbert Keith. Or Charles Haddon.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Brilliant.
I love it. Thanks for the great visual. I think I need to name my inner theologian.
Interesting discussions here. Here are a couple Scriptures on the topic:
“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:24-26 NASB).
“For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27).
“Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13).
The thing that is the most exciting and astounding is that though God does not need us, He wants us.
I too appreciate these words, Dan. That our God would give us the privilege of joining with him in creativity, worship, service is amazing! I wrote my own article called “But God …” after going through terminal illness, transplant surgery, and death of my first husband and am grateful for these words that speak truth in the middle of our life storms. Thank you!
Hi Dan,
I believe you are absolutely correct – God does not need us! But as I read your well written blog article, I think you imply that God does get Joy out of allowing His creation to love Him and “create” with Him.” God is love and love is always inclusive. God works in ways that are consistent with who He is as Love. God doesn’t “need” us but He does love us and love implies a relationship. In this case the relationship is one that is consistent with God’s personality. Personally, I am happy that I am loved by God, and have been created so I can love God in return.
Thanks for your masterful blog!
How wonderful to know that God does not need us, but still includes us in His plans. Thank you for reminding me of this.
God bless, Rosemarie Malroy
Amen! What a powerful post. Thank you, Dan.
I think Paul preached a similar message to yours on Mars Hill:
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things…”
Acts 17:24-25
🙂
A lively discussion today. Thanks to everyone who contributed to an interesting interchange.
My post next week will move to the other end of spectrum of theological importance. You won’t need to think nearly as hard.
In fact, start to practice rolling your eyes and shaking your head.
There will be a lot of it going on next Tuesday.
Thanks for the reminder. God does not need. To imply that would be to say a perfect God is less than perfect. However, He does choose to want, He can choose to need. I am finishing my first book Calling all Zombies to hopefully open dialog with the churched teens filling our youth groups who have heard it all, yet are not born again.
I do not think for a moment that my book will change the world. But if it is a tool that the Lord will choose to use to bring one soul to him, it will change eternity. Every soul God brings to him changes the family dynamics. It changes my eternity and your eternity, it changes the family. That is a thrilling hope. He doesn’t need our stories, or labors of love, but He might just choose to use them to change eternity.