The limits of competence

Psalm 127:1–2; Proverbs 3:5–7; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Use your preferred translation.

When does useful skill become an attempt to make ourselves indispensable?

• What does the passage say? Restate it in your own words before interpreting it.
• Who is speaking, and to whom?
• What is the surrounding context — what comes just before and after?
• Which words or phrases repeat or stand out?

1. Psalm 127 does not say not to build. What does it say about building without the Lord?
2. Proverbs 3:7 warns against being wise in your own eyes. How can competence feed that?
3. Paul says God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Why might God refuse to remove Paul’s weakness?

Where does your sense of worth depend on being needed or capable?

Ask for help this week with something you could do yourself, and notice how that feels.

Offer your skills to God, and ask Him to keep you dependent on His strength rather than your own.