The Vanity of Self Reliance

We live in a culture that glorifies self reliance. We like to think and believe that everything depends upon us. Our talents, gifts and abilities. We work and toil without rest in hopes to succeed and prosper.

Nothing wrong with healthy and godly ambition. Nothing wrong with working hard and doing what you have been created to do: have dominion over God’s creation.

But we need to recalibrate our thinking when it comes to HOW we are working and stewarding God’s creation.

The account of Genesis tells us that we are to have dominion over all the earth and stewarding His creation begins with faithfully representing God. So, yes, we have a place in this earth for working, creating and building. But we have a creation to steward because God gave it to us, therefore it all belongs to Him, not us. Humility is foundational if we want to think rightly about our work, gifts, talents and abilities.

So, how can we move from a self reliant, prideful mentality to a humble and God-serving one?

How can we work and steward faithfully what we have been given without exalting ourselves in the process and working in a way that keeps us humble and reliant upon the Lord?

Psalm 127:1-2 helps us out:

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stays awake in vain. It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep (ESV).

Immediately, we see that our aim is to work in cooperation with the Lord, not apart from Him. He welcomes our efforts and participation and He wants to bless the work of our hands.

Next, we see that vanity of the self reliance of man’s strength (v2). The Lord encourages us to work hard, but we must know when to rest and trust the Lord with the results of our toil. There are people who work extremely long hours because perhaps they think that if they don’t they will not be able to provide, or they will not be as prosperous. Oftentimes, this comes at the expense of family, social and personal life. We must to be careful.

We need to make sure we are working hard, but that we remember where our provision ultimately comes from- The LORD! There is an anxiety that accompanies self reliance, but when our trust and dependance is on God, we can rest and have peace knowing that His hand is at work and His eyes watches even when we sleep.

There’s a comfort in knowing that the LORD is ultimately the source of our provision. He is the one who blesses the work of our hands and allows us to bear fruit. He will take care of His people, therefore, work joyfully, and humbly unto the Lord and when your work is completed, rest, sleep and trust that the Lord never stops working and watching over you.

How are you stewarding the gift of work? Are you self reliant or God- dependent?

Take some time to consider and adjust where needed.

Be encouraged,

Charlene