Have you ever
hear the statement “God helps those who help themselves”? Honestly, what are
your initial thoughts when you hear this statement? It sounds great doesn’t it;
you may agree wholeheartedly with it, but do you know where to find it in the
Bible? It’s one thing to say that you agree with something, but it’s another
thing to know the context of what is being said. For example, is it a biblical
concept and something that you would want to live by? Why or why not?
You might be surprised to know that this statement is actually not
found anywhere in the Bible. In fact this is a humanistic
idea that promotes independence, pride and self-righteousness. In regards to
the source of this saying, it has been pointed out that,
“In truth, these words – or at least the idea these words convey –
date back to the ancient Greek dramas and are repeated throughout the centuries
even by Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard’s Almanac.”[1]
Jesus taught the exact opposite:
“Then Jesus said to
His disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your
selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me’.” (Matt 16:24 NLT)
This means that
it is all about God’s will and righteousness and not our own. It takes courage
to be able to make a stand and live in this way. It will also cost you in ways
that you might not imagine, but the rewards are also unimaginable. He has given
you the Holy Spirit as your strength to stand and live this life that He
requires. So you have a choice to help yourself, or to live God’s way. It might
not make you popular, but it will reveal your desire to love and obey God.
[1] Boekstal, Michael
Solomon. What
God Want’s from You: Live Your Life How You’re Made to Live. (Rabbi Michael
Solomon Boekstral, 2015), 134.
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