Where in the Bible does it say "God helps those who help themselves"?

Answer 1

It doesn't.

It is another one of those saying that people think are in the Bible but it is not.

Answer 2

No where. It is one of those religious sayings that man came up with. Many people try to interpret the Bible based on their experiences in life. Just because something happens to someone or doesn't happen, doesn't mean it is the will of God. Now, there is a man side and a God side to most of the promises in the Bible. Over and over, God told His people, if you do this, I'll do that. In Deut. it says that God will bless the work of our hands. We have to do something for God to bless. Know what I mean? Anyway, as for that quote, not in the Bible.

Answer 3

Nope. Not from the Bible.

GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES - "Some faith adages roll off the tongue, like 'God helps those who help themselves.' But the saying is not biblical and, in fact, violates a primary scriptural teaching that only God determines a person's destiny, according to religion analyst George Barna (the phrase).is an ancient proverb that shows up in the literature of many cultures, including a 1736 edition of Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. But it does not appear in the Bible and suggests a spiritual self-reliance inconsistent with Christianity, said David Kinnaman, vice president of Barna Research Group." Mr. Kinnaman's comment was contained in a Washington Post article by Bill Broadway published in the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader on Sept. 2, 2000. Barna included the phrase in a list of 14 used in a survey of religious beliefs conducted by his California-based research organization. "The results of Barna's yearly surveys on faith and culture are meant tot help Christian pastors and groups focus their ministries," the article states.

Answer 4

I hope this website helps answer your question:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/16/messages/896.html

According to this website, the phrase isn't found in the Bible but in one of Aesop's fables, "Hercules and the Wagoner'

'A Wagoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. He came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Wagoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong. 'O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress." But Hercules appeared to him, and said: 'Man, don't sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.

Here's another website that explains the origins of the word:

http://eliborden.freeservers.com/Weekly%20articles/origins_of_god_helps_5-11-02.htm

Answer 5

James 2:24-26 "You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. In the same manner was not also Rahab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, SO ALSO FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD."

This scripture helps us to understand that it is important that we not just pray for what we may want and then not work in harmony with what we are wishing for. Say I am very attracted to a man who is not my husband. I would pray not to be tempted to think about him in any way other than as my brother. If I put romantic thoughts out of my mind immediately and kept it full of other thoughts, refusing to allow myself to fantasize about the man I was attracted to, I would be "helping myself". However; if I allowed myself to day-dream about why I was so attracted to that man, I would not be "helping myself". God would see my heart condition and would support me in my trying to do what is right in his eyes which is what is ultimately what is best for me, my husband, and our children, and the other man and his family. But if I did not "help myself" God would have no reason to help me in doing wrong.

Thus, this quote is based on the bible's council (not just on this one scripture, there are others that back up the same principle).

I hope this is of help to you, noelle

Answer 6

This is not in the bible. People who are Benedicts have a philosophy where you should treat yourself as you owe it to those around you to do it. The Bible and especially Jesus teaches you to be selfless and to think of others

Answer 7

I think it should be "God help those who help themselves" because if you only help yourself, you really need God to change you.

Answer 8

Not there.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 33:20
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

2 Chronicles 7:14
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Answer 9

God helps those who help others.

Answer 10

It doesn't./ More to the point is:
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

God gives because we ask him and he loves us.