Surely it is those that can't help themselves that need most help?
2007-11-01 23:39:10 · 21 answers · asked by Cotton Wool Ninja 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No it says that Jesus like shop lifters.... :0)
Its a saying, not in the bible, but set up by the church. You are dumb enought to believe in religions, then you will swallow the fact that believing is good.
Suddenly you are told that It will make you a better person, and you will be rewarded in this life and the next. Armed with the moral monopoly - Good things that happen to you are blessings from God, and you should be grateful for them.
Other good things should be seen as justification of the truth of the belief system and of God's approval of your actions. Anything positive that happens that does not have much to do with the belief can be claimed as a Miracle. Good harvests, childbirth, battles won (great perversion of god that one, kill thousands in gods name), money donated etc. may all be seen as miracles, showing that God approves of you. Sayings such as "God helps those who help themselves" help reinforce this.
2007-11-01 23:44:43 · answer #1 · answered by DAVID C 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is an old story and I'll try to get it right...
A flood came and a man was sitting on top of his roof and praying that God would save him. A boat came by and offered him a ride and he said he was waiting on God. A little while later another one came by and, again, he declined because he was waiting on God. I think in the end he drowns.
The saying is off and I think the story is a little, too, but the idea is that there are usually people who can help if you ask or accept their help. God uses people, He doesn't usually send baskets of goodies down from Heaven on parachutes. The saying is meant that yes, we should pray, then we should try to accomplish what it is we need/want, even if it means we have to ask for help sometimes. Many people are too proud to accept help.
2007-11-02 02:04:25 · answer #2 · answered by MT4grace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only people who say that are those who haven't read the Bible and don't know the character of God and the reality of what people are like. I believe that it is Ben Franklin who said that God helps those who helps themselves. He wasn't a Christian, I'm not sure if he had any particular "faith".
God created mankind and knows our limits. He has always wanted to have a loving relationship with each person. Even a very competent, strong person will have times where they need help. Its pride and arrogance that makes people say things like the quote above. God wants to help everyone. But in truth, God lets people who think they can do it for themselves - do it for themselves until life proves them wrong! Frank Sinatra has a song that says, over and over, "I did it my way". It is the song of a proud/foolish man.
By age 18 I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I decided to kill myself. I also called a crisis-line and thankfully they got me in touch with someone who could explain to me that God loves me and had a plan to help me with my messed up life. Since October 21, 1971 I have gratefully celebrated my personal neediness. And every day since then God has met all my needs, except for those times when I messed up and wouldn't let him help.
2007-11-01 23:50:52 · answer #3 · answered by LeslieAnn 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nobody says Jesus helps those who help themselves but they say God helps those who help themselves.This is a general principle but God help those, if they have been helping others.
2007-11-02 00:19:05 · answer #4 · answered by shahinsaifullah2006 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is a bible saying, and to extract some good from it I will interpret it so; the saying could mean that you can only be helped if you open the door to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit into your life.
2007-11-01 23:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because without saying that, and accepting the bible at face value.... christians will tend not to actually get things done but just sit around and pray for the G-man to do it for them.
And since he either isn't listening or doesn't care.... nothing will ever happen.
And from what I can tell, nobody likes laziness in other people.
2007-11-01 23:45:45 · answer #6 · answered by Lucid Interrogator 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because sitting around and praying all day accomplishes nothing. If you want something in life, you work hard to meet your goals and get what you want. You can pray along the way if it helps you direct mental energy toward your goals, but don't expect prayer alone to get you anywhere.
2007-11-01 23:42:05 · answer #7 · answered by Grunty O 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's mildly anti religeous although it can mean God gives us the choice to help ourselves thus he does not make decisions for us. A load of cods wallop.
2007-11-01 23:43:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because faith without works is dead. For example, you can have faith that God will help you get a good paying job, but you can't just stay home, you gotta go and fill out the applications.
2007-11-02 00:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by Indya M 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
People say that because they dont have faith. faith is the essentail part of any religion... or else you'll be questioning the exsistence of god forever. And yes it is those that can't help themselves that need help, the beatitudes reflect this.
Hope that helps your query
(:
2007-11-01 23:45:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋