“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds…Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.“
Psalm 50:8-9; 13-15

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I remember being a teenager and thinking I knew what was best for my life. Even though I did not have a job, I thought I could live independently from my parents. I’ve come to realize most adolescents think the same. As a parent, I’ve seen my own kids dabble in this false narrative. True, we do grow into independence—but true independence is something none of us grasp. Why? We are the creation, not the creator. Creation will always depend on the creator, even when we don’t realize it.

God’s self-sufficiency means that God is truly independent. We might think that God needs our gifts, works, praise, or human offerings, but He doesn’t. Psalm 50 illustrates that God’s acceptance of our offerings is not out of need but an act of grace and relationship.

The verses above highlight that God does not need our offerings to sustain Himself. Instead, He desires a relationship marked by thanksgiving and trust. Our “sacrifices” express our devotion and gratitude, not a way to meet God’s needs.

God’s independence from our offerings points to His self-sufficiency and grace:

  • God’s Self-Sustaining Nature: God is not sustained by the material offerings we bring or the praise from our lips. His existence and power are independent of His creation.
  • God’s Grace and Relationship: God invites us to offer thanksgiving and call on Him, emphasizing a relationship based on grace and dependence on Him. We need to give praise because He is worthy, but we also need to remind ourselves of the grace He brings to our relationship.

Understanding God’s independence from our offerings should change how we approach worship and the reasons we give back to God.

  • Worship becomes an act of gratitude rather than a transaction. We worship God for who He is, not for what He can give us in return. This worship takes place in the quiet of our homes, during the drive to work or the store, amid the tough project we’re working on, in the Sunday morning worship service, etc. We worship because our hearts must declare how grateful we are for this self-sufficient God.
  • We learn to trust God and depend on His grace rather than trying to earn His favor through offerings. We don’t do works to get our “loyalty card” stamped and look good in the eyes of the Creator. We trust in Him, who gives His grace for us to live a life of worship.
  • We cultivate a heart of thanksgiving and acknowledge God’s grace and sufficiency in our lives. We intentionally meditate on all God has provided to our so-called “independent” lives so we can live with a thankful heart.

Offer prayers of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s grace and independence. Ask for a heart that worships Him in spirit and truth, relying on His sufficiency.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Do you view worship as a daily part of your life or only a Sunday morning thing?
  • If you were to describe your trust in your sufficient God, how would you describe that to someone else?
  • Is it encouraging or frustrating that God doesn’t need your offerings or worship?

 

Church Reading Plan: Isaiah 38; Revelation 8