On Neediness

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:19

We westerners are self-sufficient and independent people. We believe we can do everything on our own. How many of us are easily insulted when someone suggests we need help? Frankly, we don’t like feeling needy. But what if I told you that neediness is good? In fact, it’s part of God’s design for us to be needy. 

One of the realities of our finiteness is the fact we can’t do everything on our own, and we were never meant to. When God created Adam and Eve, He did all the work. He formed and shaped them — Adam from the ground and Eve from Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:7, 21-22). He provided for them a place to live — they didn’t choose the Garden; God placed them there (Genesis 2:15). He caused the earth to produce fruit and vegetables for them to eat (Genesis 2:9). God even gave them the breath of life so they would become living creatures (Genesis 2:7). In other words, they were totally needy. If it weren’t for God’s provision, Adam and Eve would have had nothing — not even life itself. 

Consider our salvation also. The Bible tells us we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). We read that every person is sinful and not one does righteousness (Romans 3:10-12). Scripture says that we cannot be saved by our works according to the flesh (Romans 3:27; 4:1-2, 16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-5). In fact, our salvation is likened to birth (John 3:3). The point of the birth illustration is that just as we aren’t responsible for our conception or our coming into the world (our very existence is owing to others’ actions and efforts), so too is our salvation completely from God and not from ourselves (Ephesians 2:4-5). God is the one who chooses us for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:2). He is the One who sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sins (John 3:16). God even gives us the faith to believe in His gospel (Ephesians 2:8). The Bible says that He is the originator of our faith (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2). It also says He is the One who brings our faith to completion, which means that He will keep us safe in His salvation until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2; Jude 24). 

All of this is meant to remind us that we are indeed needy people. We can’t exist without God and we can’t be saved without God’s active involvement in the entire process. This is why we’re reminded to ask God for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). It’s to show us our neediness so that we might fully depend upon God, who is the giver of life and breath and everything. It’s good to be needy, Christian. Neediness puts us at the foot of the cross.  

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor of Teaching & Spiritual Formation