God helps those who help themselves.

Leon ♦ July 25, 2013 ♦ 6 Comments

Is it true that God helps those who help themselves. This is an age old saying, and many think it comes from the Bible.  It is actually quite the opposite of what the word of God teaches. This is not to say we should sit on our hands and do nothing, in the face of trials or difficulties, but the number one thing we need to do is stop trying to solve our own problems. Man by nature, loves to think he is the center of the universe. The world looks with admiration upon the man or woman who has pulled themselves up by their own boot straps. There are many rich and powerful men and women in the world who have gotten to their positions with little or no thought of God.  The problem with this is, worldly rich’s and power are foolishness to God.  James 4: 9 ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  Worldly rich’s and power are things that can be seen, and people admire what they can see.  2 Corinthians 4: ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Jesus taught us to not be impressed with worldly wealth or position. Mathew 6: ¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

We all need God’s help and intervention, in difficult times and circumstances. We should seek God’s help and guidance in all our endeavors.  Proverbs 3: ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Jesus wants men and women who look like him, not who look like the wealthy and famous of this world. God wants us to lean upon him, and trust in him. 1 Corinthians 1: ²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  God says he has chosen the weak and foolish things, but they are only weak and foolish in the sight of the world. Paul stated that when he was weak then he was strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10. If our goal is to be rich, famous or powerful, then we should go about helping ourselves, and taking advantage of every opportunity to get ahead. We may even think that God is blessing our efforts, “look what we have, and how richly we are blessed.” We have to stop gauging our success by the standards of this world. 1 Timothy 6:⁵ Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  Jesus was not rich or powerful by the standards of the world, yet we know he possessed all things. The riches of the universe are only a fraction of our inheritance in Christ.  2 Chronicles 16 ⁹ For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Our hearts are perfect toward the Lord when we trust in him and his finished work on the cross, and when our desire is to be like him.  Let our motto be, ” God helps those who help others. ”