Complete in Himself: The Self-Sufficiency of God

Have you ever thought about what it means for God to need absolutely nothing? It’s a mind-bending concept. Everything in our world relies on something else to survive—plants need sunlight, we need food and water, and even our hearts need oxygen to keep beating. But God stands alone, completely self-sufficient, needing nothing and no one to sustain Him.

In Chapter 6 of The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer delves into the incredible truth of God’s self-sufficiency. This truth humbles us, confronts our self-centered tendencies, and invites us into a deeper understanding of God’s greatness and grace. Let’s explore what it means for God to be self-sufficient and how this reality changes the way we see Him and ourselves.

What Does God’s Self-Sufficiency Mean?

Tozer begins with a bold statement: “God has a voluntary relation to everything He has made, but He has no necessary relation to anything outside of Himself.” In other words, God’s relationship with creation is not born out of need but out of choice.

Unlike us, who depend on countless external factors to live and thrive, God’s existence is entirely self-contained. He doesn’t need air, water, or food. He doesn’t need our worship, our obedience, or even our existence to be complete. He is whole, perfect, and entirely sufficient in Himself.

  • “The Father has life in Himself” (John 5:26).

  • “From Him and through Him and for Him are all things” (Romans 11:36).

Everything that exists comes from God. He is the source of all life, but His life is not derived from anyone or anything else.

Why Does This Matter?

At first glance, the idea of God’s self-sufficiency might seem distant or impractical. But this truth has significant implications for our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world:

1. God’s Love is Pure and Unconditional

Because God needs nothing from us, His love for us is entirely selfless. Unlike human relationships, where love can sometimes be influenced by need or benefit, God’s love is not transactional. He loves us not because we add something to Him but because it is His nature to love.

  • “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

This means we don’t have to earn His love or worry about losing it. His love is rooted in His character, not in our performance.

2. We Are Invited, Not Needed

Tozer puts it this way: “God does not need our help.” This might sound discouraging at first, but it’s actually freeing. God’s plans don’t depend on our abilities or efforts. Yet, in His grace, He chooses to work through us.

  • “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

We are invited to join Him in His work, not because He needs us, but because He delights in partnering with His children.

3. God is Our True Sufficiency

Because God lacks nothing, He is the only one who can truly meet our deepest needs. When we rely on other things—money, success, relationships—to fill us, we end up feeling empty. But when we turn to God, we find the satisfaction our souls long for.

  • “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Confronting Our Self-Centered Tendencies

Tozer challenges us to reflect on how we often view God through the lens of our own needs and desires. In modern Christianity, there’s a temptation to see God as someone who exists to serve us—a "helper" who needs our cooperation to accomplish His plans. But this perspective diminishes His majesty and makes Him small in our eyes.

The truth is, God doesn’t need us. He is not dependent on our worship, our works, or our existence. Yet He chooses to invite us into relationship with Him. This truth should humble us and lead us to worship.

The Beauty of God’s Invitation

One of the most beautiful aspects of God’s self-sufficiency is that it makes His invitation to us even more remarkable. God, who needs nothing, desires us. He invites us to know Him, love Him, and walk with Him—not because He lacks anything, but because He delights in us.

  • “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love, He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

This invitation is not about adding to God’s glory but about allowing His glory to transform us.

Living in the Light of God’s Self-Sufficiency

How should we respond to the truth of God’s self-sufficiency?

  1. Worship Him for Who He Is
    Let this truth lead you to awe and reverence. God is perfect, complete, and glorious beyond our understanding.

  2. Rest in His Sufficiency
    You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. God is in control, and He invites you to trust Him fully.

  3. Serve Out of Joy, Not Obligation
    When we understand that God doesn’t need us, our service becomes an act of love and gratitude, not duty.

  4. Turn to Him for Fulfillment
    Stop looking for satisfaction in things that can never fill you. God alone is sufficient to meet your deepest needs.

Closing Reflection

The self-sufficiency of God is not just a lofty theological idea—it’s a truth that transforms our hearts. It reminds us that God is greater than we can imagine, that His love is pure and unconditional, and that our worth comes not from what we can offer but from being His beloved.

Take a moment today to marvel at the God who needs nothing but invites everything.

Closing Prayer

Father, You are complete and perfect in every way. You don’t need anything from us, yet You choose to love us and invite us into Your presence. We long to rest in Your sufficiency, to worship You for who You are, and to live for Your glory alone. Thank You for the privilege of knowing You and being part of Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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