Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White clearly taught that **God is not dependent upon man** for the advancement of His cause. She wrote, "God is not dependent upon man for the support of His cause. He could have sent means direct from heaven to supply His treasury, if His providence had seen that this was best for man" (3T 390.2). God possesses infinite resources and could accomplish His purposes through entirely different means if He chose to do so. She emphasized God's complete self-sufficiency by quoting Scripture: Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hillsand "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof" (3T 390.2). God could have used angels to proclaim truth to the world, or even "written the truth upon the heavens, and let that declare to the world His requirements in living characters" (1TT 369.2). He is not dependent upon any person's resources or abilities. However, Ellen White explained that God chooses to involve human beings for **our benefit, not His necessity**. She wrote, "Whatever necessity there is for our agency in the advancement of the cause of God, He has purposely arranged for our good. He has honored us by making us co-workers with Him" (3T 390.2). God ordained human participation that they may keep in exercise their benevolence" (AUGleaner September 25, 1907, par. 6) and to develop Christian character in us. The principle extends beyond financial support to all forms of service. Ellen White noted that "in order to cultivate a spirit of benevolence in us, He has chosen to employ men to do this work" (CS 20). God places responsibilities upon us not because He needs us, but because working in cooperation with Him develops our spiritual faculties and brings us happiness. She taught that upon this their happiness dependswhen describing how God ordained that created beings should work (SpTB01 29.2). In essence, God's use of human agency is an act of grace—He invites us into partnership with Him for our growth and blessing, even though He could accomplish everything without us. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What does Ellen White say about the privilege of being co-workers with God? • How does God develop Christian character through the work He gives us to do? • What did Ellen White teach about the connection between service and spiritual growth?