Relying on God
I’m reading a book about the women in the Bible: Sarah, Hannah, The book is about waiting patiently for God’s will. It says that God wants nothing more than for us to let go of our projects, our schemes, and our self-sufficiency and allow Him to work. So my question is, what is considered our own self-sufficiency? If I’m looking for a job and sending out my resume like crazy, am I acting on my own self-sufficiency? If I buy a lottery ticket, is that a scheme and not trusting the Lord to provide for my needs? Need clarification please.
It is always helpful—and fair to the author of a book—to consider a passage in its context, but I will work with what you have provided.
By definition and in the context of your question, self-sufficiency is the idea that we do not need God because we can fend for ourselves. That idea of course is completely untruthful. When it comes to our connection to God, the apostle Paul stated the truth when he said, “For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We would not have life—or anything in it—if it were not for God’s power and love.
As Christians, we reflect our reliance on God in ways that Scripture directs. In his epistle, James spoke of making plans but finally committing those plans to God’s wisdom and will (James 4:13-15). The book of Proverbs (3:5) directs us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” In the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:31-33), Jesus instructed his followers to put him first in life and trust that he would provide for all their needs.
Seeking employment by sending out resumes does not necessarily demonstrate a lack of trust in God or a self-sufficient attitude. It is one matter if a person thinks that gaining employment is entirely up to him or her, but it is quite another matter if a person is diligent in making contacts for potential employment, while trusting in God to provide.
Regarding the purchase of a lottery ticket, the motive behind the action is important. Is the purchase prompted by greed, a lack of contentment or the thought that “I have to provide for myself because God is not doing a good job of doing that”? How does the purchase line up with being a faithful manager of God’s possessions? Those are questions to consider.
I hope these thoughts have provided some clarification. God bless.