God helps those that help themselves?! What does that mean?

Question

If you help yourself, where is god in that equation? That's such a stupid adage.

Answer 1

It's one of the many catch-all phrases adopted to make it so they can wiggle god out of everything that could otherwise lead people to think god might not be there or at least question his existence.

See also the God's Plan vs. Free Will thing.
Bad disaster > Gods Plan
Horrible human act > Free will

It must be easy being a believer.

Answer 2

The idea that God helps those "who help themselves" is not Biblical. That is a worldly saying. It is God who does all of the work. Your friend is listening to a worldly message. So really I would toss the explanation and start over. It is by God's Will that God might cause the game to go well, or not. In Numbers 11:33 the Hebrews kept testing God and God gave them the food they wanted, read what God said, "And while the flesh [was] yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague." Right that we don't know what God's will is always. We can cry out for mercy, sometimes God might orchestrate what is requested. God might say, "No". Often times God does not give an answer right away, this is usually a time of testing. God tests people all the time.

Answer 3

Hello, If I may I have the actual answer. This is Greek mythology. A farmer got his cart stuck in the mud. When passer bys saw him they offered help. The farmer refused everyones help saying Hercules will come by soon and help me. Then once Hercules came the farmer cried for help. Hercules already knew what was going on and said "The Gods only help those who help themselves". This is different than what the bible that says in Proverbs "God helps those who can not help themselves". So I don't think it is a stupid adage. It just needed to be looked at the way it was meant.

Answer 4

I'm a Hurricane Rita survivor and I'll tell what it means.

Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans sat and waited for government handouts and did nothing but crime as they died.

We Hurricane Rita survivors did not commit any crime. In fact, we helped each other. When the law abondoned us and told us we were on our own, it was us normal everyday citizens who directed traffic for the evacuations in order to avoid wrecks (because there were no longer any ambulances nor hospitals open). People helped keep gas lines open so others could fill up there gas tanks to leave. Others helped guide others to food stations and other places that opened after the hurricane. The elderly and expectant mothers and single women with children who were unable to haul broken branches, snapped trees and other yard devistation to the road were aided by their neighbours and other townsfolk who did have tractors, bushhogs and other equipment to help. By the time FEMA got to our town we didn't need their help.

There are still Katrina people who still don't work after two years already and still expect or are getting government handouts. They are lazy.

Within three weeks after the Rita recovery I got a job and have been working ever since.

Now do you understand what "God helps those who help themselves" means. God won't come down and perform a miracle. Rather, He dwells in us and works through us to help others in need. I was so touched by the humanity and mercifulness of my entire community (we all were) and we were all moved to tears. See, there is a God.

Answer 5

It is a stupid adage. God helps the helpless.

Answer 6

It means that if you do the things that YOU can, God will handle what you CAN'T. Like how if a person is unemployed and cannot pay bills.. God will provide you with a job. But you have to get up and LOOK for one. You can apply for jobs, but can't magically make the places hire you!

It's the same as the saying that God provides food for the sparrows so they don't starve, but he does not throw it into the nest.

Answer 7

Hi,

I Think maybe it means- God want do for you want you can do for yourself. If a doctor tells you to only eat bacon once a week are you will develop clog arteries and you eat bacon everyday because you like it so much, All of a sudden your medical report comes back arteries clog. Now couldn't you have helped your self in this situation. Why do we look to God to do what we can do for ourselves.

God Bless!

Answer 8

Islam has a similar one...Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel.

It is not stupid. It means we must make the first effort...we must take the first step...and then God supports us. Knock and the door shall be opened - it you don't knock the door will be closed. Seek and you shall find - you can't just ask God to find it for you - you must seek and God will help.

It means don't expect it to happen or come to you just because you asked God to do it for you. Ask, but then make efforts towards this - and then God helps.

If there is something you can do - do it (ie help yourself)...and ask/allow God to help you in your efforts.

Makes perfect sense.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 9

It means that you can't just sit back and let God do all the work. You have to do things for yourself and then God will help you do those things. Example: you have a test to take...you can't just ask God to help you pass the test and then not study for it. You have to study, then you can ask God to help you and He will help you recall what you have studied.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 10

Like if you ask God for the financial means to support your family, rarely will He respond with money falling out of the sky - but He will give you talents, abilities, and opportunities where you can earn that money through work.

Answer 11

The Phrase God help those that help themselves means that we cannot sit back as Christian and be lazy. God wants me to do my part as a Christian. Putting faith to work. Not just sitting back and being a spectator but being a participator.