Christians, does God only help those who help themselves?

Question

I've searched the past questions on this, and yet I still don't have a clear understanding.

If God only helps those who help themselves, then why does God need to help them in the first place, since they are relying more on their own human abilities to get ahead rather than on their faith in Him?

On the other hand, if God helps those who don't help themselves, then I see arguments about how doing nothing and waiting to receive God's blessing is an excuse for being lazy and slacking off (ie. when finding a job, or studying for a test).

So does God help those who help themselves or not? Thanks in advance. :)

Answer 1

No, God helps those who are unable to help themselves. That having been said, God gits us with certain abilities, and He gives us promises in His word, so when we stand on God's Word and use the gifts that He gives us, we have confidence of success.



It's like God provides food for the birds but they don't sit in their nests with their mouths open waiting for food to fall into it. They go out and find the provision that God has made for them.

Answer 2

This is a man made quote that has no meaning, except to be demeaning to the less fortunate. In other words those who are self righteous snobs who look down on the poor and despairing, and come to the conclusion that it is their own fault for their predicament. How can starving children in Africa help themselves? Only by loving giving people, of their time, and money, can these unfortunate be helped. God is the help and guiding of their of their love and generosity. As far as calling people lazy and doing nothing, they need to walk in their shoes, before determining their abilities or lack of.

Answer 3

While there might a few fact to the precept, it's not within the Bible and isn't one hundred% precise in any respect. A problem in which it's precise: Someone desires to take a seat on their tush and watch T.V. all day, everyday, then they are saying, "Why did not God furnish me with the money to pay my hire, now I am going to be evicted?" But there are lots of occasions in which it's not precise. Take salvation for illustration, God helped people who would do NOTHING to aid themselves.

Answer 4

On the contrary, God helps those who cannot help themselves.

Examples: Acts 11:18 "God granteth repentance". John 6:29 and Phil. 1:29 "This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Ephes. 2:1 " Ye hath He quickened who were dead (Spiritually). John 6:44 and 65 "No man can come to me lest it be given him / lest the Father draw him." John 15:16 and Matt. 20:16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." Ezek. 37:9 and 10, "and then the WIND blew" - (Spirit of God). Heb. 12:2 and Ephes. 2:8, "Faith is the gift of God."

Read - Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 and then about Christ 1000 yrs later in the new testament.

Answer 5

When a person becomes a Christian, they have the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling them and it's in this power that the person makes their requests known to God through prayer in Jesus name. Jesus says, in Mark 11:24 "When you pray, believe that you will receive ..." so, prayer must be faith-based as in Hebrews 1:1 - "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Romans 8:26-27 "The Spirit helps us in our weakness, we do not know for what we ought to pray but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He searches our hearts ..." God wants us to pray 'within His will' and receive answers. Praying within God's will is something the Christian should know as it will align with the Sciptures.

So, God helps those who submit to Him and sincerely want things in their life to be in keeping with His will for them instead of 'helping themselves' - to 'help yourself' is, not only, denying the power of God but is denying that He wants the very best for you because He loves you. We must remember that we can't see the future, but God can.

Answer 6

God helps his people (Those who have accepted His gift of Salvation and believe in Him) and those who don't believe in Him, He bless His people more. So God helps all people but He has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11 '"For I know the plans i have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."') and the actions you do are a part of that plan, and God rewards hard work, patience, and truth; so you get farther if you listen to God and aren't lazy.

Answer 7

God never forces people to do anything. He guides people in what they do, but will not make them do something. It's like driving a car. He won't make the car start, and won't push the accelerator, but will take hold of the wheel. People who help themselves are already going somewhere or doing something, so God can guide them better than people who are not doing anything.

Answer 8

So why is he not in court on criminal charges then since the bible is the most stolen book in the world and if god helps those that help themselves he must be just as guilty!!

Answer 9

No. That isn't in the Bible anywhere. It came from Benjamin Franklin. God wants you to lean on Him for help, but first you must get saved. Please pray a sincere prayer with all of your heart admitting to Jesus you are a sinner. Have full faith that His blood pays off all of your sins and accept His gift of everlasting life. I pray that God blesses you with peace. Amen.

Answer 10

God helps those who acknowledge Him in all their ways (Prov. 3:6). Acknowledging God in all our ways includes reading and knowing what His Word has to say. It does not say "God helps those who help themselves," however, it has plenty to say about sloth and laziness. We cannot just sit around expecting God to pay the bills or ace our tests.

Answer 11

Because are you ever going to get help if you just sit around on your butt?



God's not going to do everything for us like we're little babies and we can't do anything

If we really want something, we will go out and get it, with God's assistance.

Answer 12

Example:



I pray for a spouse



I also go out and look for a spouse.



God expects us to rely on him, he also excepts us to act as if he is going to answer our prayer and meet the need.





I hope this helps

Answer 13

No. First we pray, then we do. It's like saying, "O.K. God, I've done this. Now help me." That's arrogance.

Answer 14

Yes, one must "ask the right questions to receive answers."



One must redeem him-/herself.

Answer 15

YHVH blesses all. However, what He has told us to do for ourselves, He seldom does for us.

Answer 16

it's not in the book

Answer 17

There is NO SCRIPTURAL BASIS for this BS!