Acts 17:24-25

“The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, neither is He served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.” – Acts 17:24-25

First heard about these verses from Tenth’s Mike Donehey, and they’re never quoted or never really focused on by most preachers out here, so back then, I didn’t know about these. But, its message has become my favorite.

So… it clearly points out that God doesn’t need anything.

 He doesn’t need me, or you, or anyone in particular. “He is not served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything.”

To say that God needs you is probably the most prideful thing for you to say.

But come to think of it, we grew up thinking as if God needs our skills, or gifts, or talents. We grew up thinking that we were wired to serve God as if He needs us.

But, lo and behold, He doesn’t need us. He doesn’t need you or me.

It’s the other way around. We need Him.

“He gives to all life, breath and all things.”

The problem I see with the intention of serving God as our main purpose is that, at some point, we come to a spot where we kind of trust in what we do for God, the works of our hands, instead of Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

It somewhat takes the life out of Christianity when we are motivated to serve God – out of fear, or out of rewards – rather than out of our response to what Jesus has done. And that’s probably why a lot of Christians still don’t get this whole Jesus thing.

So, this is a blow to our pride. God doesn’t need anything. With Jesus, this has all become possible. We are given life, we are given blessings, we are given peace and righteousness. And it’s about our response to Him, not us making the first step.

So, write it in your heart: “God doesn’t need me. I’m the one who needs Him. And I can’t save myself. Only He can do that for me.”