God created us to know, love, and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next. So we know that we need God, because we were created for relationship with Him. But does He need us?

A listener recently called in to Go Ask Your Father™, and asked Monsignor Stuart Swetland this very question. He responded, “Here’s a great example of ‘seldom affirm, never deny, always distinguish.'”

Msgr. Swetland explained, “In God’s self, no, God does not need us. He has everything God needs for God. It was freely out of love that God created us, to expand, if you will, His divine family beyond just the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To include human persons, and also to include angelic persons. So it is out of love that God created us. God doesn’t need us.”

But if God doesn’t need us, then what is the purpose of our faith and good works? Why should we work to build up the kingdom of God if He doesn’t need us?

Msgr. Swetland clarified this saying, “That being said, having created us, He does give us a share in building up His community and building up His kingdom. So because it’s for our good, God gives us a share in His divine plan. And that’s why we are taught by the Lord to seek first His kingdom.”

“God does have us play a very vital role in building up His kingdom, but He did that for us,” he continued. “It’s much like parents having children. Parents don’t necessarily have to have children to be fulfilled, but having children they can share their life with them, and they also share with them the wonderful responsibilities of building up a family, building up a community, keeping a house, all of that. Because it’s good for them.”

“So God doesn’t need us, but He created us. And we definitely need God because we were made for relationship with God.”

Listen to the conversation below:

Go Ask Your Father airs weekdays at Noon Central on Relevant Radio® and the Relevant Radio App.