... For now, I want to limit my focus to the concept of self-sufficiency.
Targeting the weak and impressionable
By “self-sufficiency,” O’Reilly alters the meaning of the concept that plays off the long-cherished virtues of the self-made man, self-reliance, and rugged individualism that are hallmark characteristics of the lofty notion of the American Spirit. Indeed, the target of the pitch is not the strong man but rather the insecure weakling who wants to become a secure and confident strong man—the guy whose self-sufficiency has been insufficient...
A choice of books
So it’s The Automatic Millionaire vs. the Bible. And O’Reilly has revealed his choice. I’m weighing in on this because I’ve been writing about self-sufficiency from the biblical perspective for going on 40 years....
As I’ve noted, self-sufficiency is a concept. And it has many elements. You probably can’t find “self-sufficiency” listed as such in a Bible concordance. But you can find what you’re looking for under numerous related topics, foremost among them: self and flesh.
Self-sufficiency is such an important topic that it’s introduced right up front in the Bible—in the first book, Genesis, chapter three. It’s part of the story of Adam and Eve, who wanted to be Selfers—self-sufficient, independent of God. Further on, we read about their sons, Cain and Able. Cain is portrayed as an evil Selfer and Able as a righteous man, according to Jesus (Matthew 23:35).... Adam and Eve and their son Cain were duped by that crafty Satan into believing The Big Lie that man can become independent of God and autonomous like God through self-sufficiency. And the deceit continues to this day.
Self-sufficiency is a common pursuit by natural man—as well as most “fleshly,” “carnal,” or “Half-Hearted Christians,” particularly Worldly or Fat-Hearted Christians...
Since we belong to Christ, then all we have belongs to Him. We are to be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us, whether much or little. Each of us must examine the motives of our hearts and learn to trust Him in all things, to be content in all things and not covet, and to be good stewards.
The Half-Hearted Christian is yet to learn of the insufficiency of self-sufficiency.
The Whole-Hearted Christian has learned that lesson, quite often through brokenness, and has come to experience what God said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And, like Paul, we can say: “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).
It’s something I suggest that all Bill O’Reillys factor in.
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from Frankly Speaking: Current Events Commentaries from a Biblical Perspective by Frank Allnut. (See link for the full article.) For further reading, order Allnutt's book The Whole-Hearted Christian.
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