Self-supporting Personally And In The Group

When we have spent some time in recovery from active addiction, one of the amazing transformations we experience is that we have learned to become more self-supporting.  Instead of always expecting someone to rescue us with a hand-out, we learn how to not only 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.  

We practice being self-supporting 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 when it goes around at a meeting.  We express the value of this principle in what is described in the 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) 

It is God who gives us the skill to do a specific work.  It is also God who gives us the will and the power to get to work and get the job done.  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 and transforming 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

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