SELF-SUPPORTING – PERSONALLY AND IN THE GROUP

One of the amazing transformations we experience when we have spent time in recovery from active addiction is that we learn how to become self-supporting.  Instead of always expecting someone to rescue us with a handout, we learn not only how to pay our own way but also to contribute to the needs of others. 

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.  (Psalm 90:17 NIV)

Our recovery is our responsibility, not something that we expect someone else to do for us.  As we recover, we learn how to work hard and little by little we see the fruit of our labour.  Working hard and providing for ourselves and our families is both the will of God and the provision of God. 

Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people—we command them—to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living.  (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12 TLB)

We practice being self-supported in our group life as well as in our personal recovery.  We learn how to care for each other and how to “love our neighbour as ourselves” by putting some money in the basket that goes around in a group meeting. We express the value of this principle in what is described in the A.A. Responsibility Statement: “When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.”   (1965 AA Convention Literature) 

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV; Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

It is God who gives us the skill to do a specific work.  We are created by God to be people who use the gifts God has given us.  When we live responsibly, God will abundantly bless us.

Prayer: Loving God, Thank You for working in me as You transform me to do the work that You have created me to do. Help me to be faithful and trusting as well as responsible and generous in my work environment and wherever I meet with others.  Amen