God helps those who help themselves?

Question

Why do people use this quote?
Did the Samaritan say this to the guy on the road and then kick him in the stomach? Or did he help the helpless?
Doe the fact that this is quoted from Benjamin Franklin (not a Christian, but a deist) and not from the Bible make any difference?

Answer 1

You are correct this quote is not in the Bible. God helps those who couldn't help themselves many times, even while he was on earth he helped many people who couldn't help themselves or even come to him for healing he went to them. All we need to have is faith in Him and follow him.

Answer 2

No I do not believe this is a quote out of the Bible, We are suppose to help the weak and the poor. Jesus gave all that he had up, and became poor in material wealth, but the only way we can be rich is in spirit and love for the Lord, worldly things do not go to heaven.

Answer 3

I don't use that quote myself, but I think it's driving home the idea of self-sufficiency.

I think it's important to be as self-sufficient as possible. In doing so, we reduce the burdens that we place on others to help us and take care of us -- and we also become productive citizens, which improves society as a whole economically and otherwise.

Of course, all of us need a helping hand at times -- but I think the quote is just driving home the idea that needing a helping hand should by no means become a lifestyle.

Answer 4

I can imagine that this quote is only effective in wealthy countries with low rates of unemployment and thus low rates of starvation and poverty.

I can't really see too many people using this while they are begging for food or fleeing in the night time.

Again..quotes from or based on the bible are easy to bend to your will

Answer 5

What if the samaritan said to himself that he couldn't do anything for the man. You can't just throw your hands down and do nothing all the time and expect to live a spiritual life.

Answer 6

Well yes the Bible is the only true word,but I believe people say this to others who are capable of doing more for themselves and want to sponge off society or Cristian's

Answer 7

I think there is a possibility that it may stem from the scripture at Genesis 22:14, where it says "and Abraham began to call the name of that place Jehovah-ji-reh. This is why it is customarily said today: "In the mountain of Jehovah it will be provided". I always heard my great-grandmother say Jehovah-ji-reh, and it was loosely used to say just what you asked...God helps those who help themselves, or God help us.

Answer 8

It's a manmade saying that makes sense; quit obsessin over this quote, it isn't like it's in the Bible, if it doesn't make sense that's the fault of the person who coined it.

Answer 9

A woman prays to God asking 'Lord, please make me win the lottery." At the end of the week, someone else won. She tried again, "Lord, I really need the money, so please allow me to win the lottery." At the end of the week, once again, someone else won. She begged and pleaded with God, "God if you loved me, you would let me win the lottery so I can provide for my family. I swear, I'll stop smoking, and drinking and swearing, and all that other stuff if you do." God then replied, "Meet me half way on this one, actually buy a lottery ticket."

Answer 10

God doesn't want slackers relying on him and treating him like a sucker.

The quote means you can't go around committing sins and expect God to forgive you all the time and that God can't give people happiness...you have to earn it yourself.