Does God Help those Who Help Themselves?

Introduction

The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is often said in Christian circles. A phrase most people believe is in the bible. Often times this platitude is quoted to ‘motivate’ people into action. But what does it really mean? Is it Biblical? And if not, where does it come from? Let’s find out in 404 Not Found, According to the Bible.

What does this phrase mean?

There are a few different possible meanings for this phrase. According to this phrase, it links our self help to God’s help. That they have a relationship with each other. Us helping ourselves ushers in God’s help in our lives.

Knowing what this phrase likely means, we can now see where it originates from. Does it exist in the bible?

Origin

This popular phrase actually doesn’t originate from the bible at all. The phrase was popularized by the diest Benjamin Franklin, someone who thinks God is more of an absentee landlord than what the Bible actually describes him as. He quoted it in his almanac called “Poor Richard’s Almanac” 1757 edition. These almanacs had a mixture of seasonal weather forecasts, puzzles, practical household hints, sayings, etc. In the 1757 edition of the almanack, he quotes an ancient greek proverb. A similar saying as also found in the Quran. The Quran’s Ar-Ra’d 13:11 reads:

"Indeed Allah will not change the conditions of a population until they change what is in themselves."

In this passage, the Quran expects a person to help himself by changing his own attitude and behavior before God will come to his aid.

Is it Biblical?

Just because it isn’t directly in the bible doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t biblical; but while this does sound like something that *might* be in the bible, doesn’t mean that it consists of good theology. So let’s break down this phrase piece by piece.

Self Agency
Self agency is something that the bible does speak of. There are numerous passages that expect us to carry our own load and work hard. This is shown in passages like these:

Proverbs 12:24 - Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

2 Timothy 3:17 - That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Psalm 90:17 - 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.

Jeremiah 31:30 - But everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven


In this last passage, Jesus is preaching that when we work hard, it ultimately glorifies God because we give him a good testimony. This sentiment is also reiterated in the letters of Paul and Peter: Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Peter 2:18. By us working hard, we aren’t working for ourselves. God wants us to work hard to take care of our family, our neighbors, the poor, etc, and through this God receives glory. It’s a beautiful thing that more christians need to do. (Ephesians 4:28 and 1 Timothy 5:8)

It’s important to note that we shouldn’t boast in our hard work. We should always minimize ourselves and exalt others in whatever we do, and boast in Christ above all. (Matthew 6:1, Galatians 6:14)

God’s Help

While God does expect us to be hard workers, his goodness isn’t reliant on us. This is a huge misconception within christianity. Him being good to us doesn’t depend on our perfection. “If only i could be better, then God would bless me.” This kind of mindset is deadly to any believer in God. God isn’t God because of us; He’s God in spite of us. Regardless of our holiness, God is good. He isn’t waiting for us to trip up, he isn’t waiting for us to get perfect before using us.

Isaiah 25:4(NASB)
For You have been a defense for the helpless,
A defense for the needy in his distress,

A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat;

God wants us to humble ourselves before him. Understanding our weakness is crucial. We have a loving and understanding God who knows what it’s like to be a human.

The pitfall we are tempted to fall into is to do everything ourselves. Since we feel like it must be annoying for God to hear our complaints and worries; that he is too busy to care for us. But understand that’s not what the bible teaches.

Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness.”

Psalm 147:11, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
God delights in his children calling out to him for help. He is our Father.

Matthew 7:7–11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [9] Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (ESV)

Isaiah 64:4 (ESV)
From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.

He commands that we pray to him and give him our burdens. From the very mouth of Jesus, he says this:

Matthew 5:3-4
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 11:28–30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)

Conclusion

In the end, this saying isn’t helpful at all. If you believe someone needs to work hard, just say that. The truth is God helps those who can’t help themselves as Isaiah 25:4 states. To those who humble themselves before an all powerful God, his grace is given.