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Is this phrase in the Bible?
"God helps those who help themselves". I'd always heard that phrase when I was little, and it sounded so right. So, I did some checking...yes, I do know the answer. Okay guys, this is my first question on here. I've answered many of your questions, honestly and respectfully, so I would appreciate the same consideration. I just want to see what many people believe is actually in the Bible. Many people treat the Bible like some mysterious book that no one can really understand. It IS understandable, and it IS relevant to us today & very helpful. So, let's hear what you think.
I liked your answer, Spur. When we are weak, that's when He's strong. One of the many paradoxes of God. He wants us to depend on Him totally. Also, not eating if you don't work was always taught to me too. Thanks for responding to my question.
10 Answers
- spur4eightLv 52 decades agoFavorite Answer
No. That phrase is NOT in the Bible! In fact, it is contradictory to the main teaching of the Bible, that God helps those who are helpless!
- MacDeacLv 52 decades ago
Contrary to what the president of the United States says, its not in there. (Yes, I saw W. say that was in the Bible in an interview.) God helps us when we can't help ourseves or when we won't help ourselves.
Personally, I believe there are a lot of mysteries in the Bible, but that is not one of them. Sometimes we have to answer questions "I don't know." and I'm ok with that.
- Anonymous2 decades ago
No it is not in the Bible.
But in terms of God's word, His truth, His wisdom, He does help those who help themselves.
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
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?
- Red-dog-lukeLv 42 decades ago
No. That phrase is not in the Bible.
There are verses that support it though. There are many verses about not being lazy and being hard workers.
If a man is not willing to work...don't feed him. That is my favorite verse about laziness. There are tons of people that want handouts from the church. They ask for money, but when we ask...will you mow the church grass in exchange?? they don't want to.
Hmmm
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- claypigeonLv 42 decades ago
I believe Benjamin Franklin coined this phrase to demonstrate to inactive Christians of his day that divine intervention was not the only possible way for tyrrany to end.
Source(s): Poor Richards Almanac (I think) - dcomputermanLv 62 decades ago
Concerning "phantom scriptures" such as "Phillips 66:1"; I am in debt to Dr. David Reagan for this example, and for inspiring the Sacred Cows section in general.
"God helps those who help themselves!" Hezekiah 6:1
This verse, of course, is not in the Bible. Hezekiah sounds plausible enough, but is not a real book of scripture. "Yeah! That's from the book of Hezekiah, isn't it?" is the code-word for these kinds of phantom texts.
This would seem old news by now, but just recently a friend of ours was scandalized when we told her this "verse" did not exist.
More important, this "verse" is unbiblical in its meaning. It is exactly the opposite of the message of scripture.
Jer 17:5 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Prov 28:26 (NIV) He who trusts in himself is a fool...
Source(s): http://www.vandruff.com/cows_helps.html - 2 decades ago
The pharse "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the KJV of the Bible. However:
-But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy:8 -gives us clear instruction that we are to work for provision of our household.
