God is Self-Sufficient

What does it mean that God is self-sufficient? One thing it means is that God does not need anything.

"The problem of why God created the universe still troubles thinking men; but if we cannot know why, we can at least know that He did NOT bring His worlds into being to meet some unfulfilled need in Himself...The word "necessary" is wholly foreign to God.

The picture of a nervous, ingratiating God fawning over men to win their favor is not a pleasant one; yet if we look at the popular conception of God that is precisely what we see. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy (almost enjoyable) to believe that we are necessary to God." - A.W. Tozer (Knowledge of the Holy)

How often we go about our lives thinking that God needs us to do this or that. God does not need our worship nor our obedience; he deserves it, desires it, and commands it, but never needs it. God is not a busy or frustrated God seeking help to carry out his plan for the world.

God gains nothing from us (Job 35:7-8).

Think about it. Our lives, our joys and pains are in the hands of God who is not needy. He has in himself all power and knowledge to bring about what is the greatest plan that would accomplish our joy and bring him the greatest glory.

Then why did God create us? It is true that God could have "continued alone for all eternity, without making known his glory unto creatures" (Pink). So why did God create the world? He was pleased to create us and so he did. Not out of need but out of his own pleasure.

"He sustains all, but is himself independent of all. He gives to all, but is enriched by none." - Pink, Attributes.

Where does this leave us? It should leave us in a fear (in awe of his greatness) of God and in great humility. And it is great news that the God who needs no one will when faith is present work through anyone. This news should stimulate us to obedience and "holy endeavor." It should increase our faith. God does not need things outside himself to accomplish his purposes. We should rejoice in this because the God who does not need us, loves us still and desires to work in us and through us for his good pleasure.

"This truth...when viewed in its biblical perspective will lift from our minds the exhausted load of mortality and encourage us to take the easy yoke of Christ and spend ourselves in Spirit inspired toil for the honor of God and the good of mankind. - Tozer, Knowledge.