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Author Thread: God help those who help themselves..............................
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God help those who help themselves..............................
Posted : 8 Nov, 2009 09:59 AM

Hi,



God help those who help themselves, isn't this in the same vein as Physician heal thyself?



I am sure all of you have heard either of these two sentences uttered when we have exhausted all means to help those in need yet they do not seem to pull up their socks knowing the situation they are in. I have found that people will normally use these sentences when they are about to throw in the towel.



Yet, I have pondered do these two sentences seem Christ like? I have read somewhere (cant seem to recall where tho :laugh:) that it is an excuse given by non believers not to help those in need.



Any biblical insights or your own opinion as to these sentences?

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God help those who help themselves..............................
Posted : 8 Nov, 2009 12:42 PM

Hi Hirly,

That is a wonderful question which I have never really thought about and it has caused me to scurry through my Bible � and E-Bible Books and anywhere else I could find information. This is what I found. The current version was written by Benjamin Franklin (a deist, who believed that God created everything and then just backed off � leaving us to ourselves) who wrote �God helps those who help themselves.� [p. 175] (1736) The way Franklin saw it, was that if man did not help himself no one would.



Scripture says: Proverbs 28:26 �He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,But he who walks wisely will be delivered.�

(Ephesians 2:8-10) �For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

(9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10)� For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.�

I am sure there are more references to this point. But, Scripture is clear as far as working your way to Heaven.



Now, Scripture also says,

2 Thessalonians (3:10) �� If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.�

We cannot just sit idly and expect to accomplish anything. We have to do what we can and pray for assistance. A George Barna survey showed that 8 out of 10 Americans thought that this saying was in The Bible.

God does help � many miracles attest to that � it is just that sometimes we do not accept it or see it as coming from God. Take the story of the man who was sitting on top of his house with flood waters rising and he prayed to God for help and then a boat came by and offered help which the man refused because he was waiting for God to save him.

This went on for a few more attempts (another boat and a helicopter) until the man drowned and went to Heaven where St. Peter asked him �Why did you not except any of the help God sent you?.�

The way I see it is God wants us to be diligent and good stewards of the gifts he gave us and to work hard for ourselves and family and humanity (including God's other creatures) � but to never forget that it is with His Grace that we achieve anything of merit.

Thanks Hirly for such a good question!



Peace



C S Lewis

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because I see everything by it.

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God help those who help themselves..............................
Posted : 8 Nov, 2009 03:19 PM

I can do nothing for myself.

What?

Everything is given by god.Your job. Your home.Your health.

Your life.I can do nothing except reject it all.

All the money I have was given to me by god.So,it is not mine.

See my view.Is there anything you can do?Dennis

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DontHitThatMark

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God help those who help themselves..............................
Posted : 8 Nov, 2009 03:53 PM

God helps those that love and obey Him..."helping yourself" starts off with a selfish premise instead of God first...but I'm sure it could be rephrased to mean "God helps those that work hard" or something.



:peace::peace:

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God help those who help themselves..............................
Posted : 10 Nov, 2009 05:13 AM

What bout Physician heal thyself? Does this runs along the same vein?





Have gained some knowledge and bible based insights on God words and your own personal opinion. My thanks Arch, DHTM and Dennis.



Keep up the good work.

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God help those who help themselves..............................
Posted : 10 Nov, 2009 08:03 AM

dear folks, i like this sayin better.. GOD helps those who helps others..



acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. "



ole cattle

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