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Starwynd
Guest
Where in the Bible does it say “God helps those who helps themselves”?
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Trishie
Guest
It doesn’t. It’s not from the Bible. I believe it’s a quote made by one of the U.S. Presidents. I do have an article on it somewhere.
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Trishie
Guest
“God helps those who help themselves” is a quote from Benjamin Franklin [Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757].
The Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless!
“For You have been a defence for the helpless, a defence for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat…” Isaiah 25:4
"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."Romans 5:6
We are sinners (Romans 3:23), and condemned as a result of that sin (Romans 6:23). Only God can remedy this situation (Isaiah 64:6). While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8) paying the penalty that we were incapable of paying (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless!
“For You have been a defence for the helpless, a defence for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat…” Isaiah 25:4
"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."Romans 5:6
We are sinners (Romans 3:23), and condemned as a result of that sin (Romans 6:23). Only God can remedy this situation (Isaiah 64:6). While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8) paying the penalty that we were incapable of paying (2 Corinthians 5:21).
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patrick457
Guest
It’s not from the Bible. I remember a book by Bert Ghezzi on which he addresses this quote (I admittedly did not read that from cover to cover, but that part stuck in my mind), showing that this quote is not biblical and at best, is quite contrary to what it teaches, as Trishie pointed out. What the Scriptures actually show us is that God helps those who cannot help themselves.
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Church_Militant
Guest
Guys…
You’re right that it’s not from the Bible at all, but you’re way off as to where it comes from. It’s actually much much older than that.
Self-help is the best help.Hercules And The Farmer
I think in modern times it has been condensed into the phrase we all have heard.
You’re right that it’s not from the Bible at all, but you’re way off as to where it comes from. It’s actually much much older than that.
A CARTER was driving a wagon along a country lane, when the wheels sank down deep into a rut. The rustic driver, stupefied and aghast, stood looking at the wagon, and did nothing but utter loud cries to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it is said, appeared and thus addressed him: Put your shoulders to the wheels, my man. Goad on your bullocks, and never more pray to me for help, until you have done your best to help yourself, or depend upon it you will henceforth pray in vain.
Self-help is the best help.Hercules And The Farmer
I think in modern times it has been condensed into the phrase we all have heard.
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COPLAND_3
Guest
You will find a teaching related to that in the first Mass Reading from Wednesday 27th, in 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Here is a link to a study on it here litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Aug.+27
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