Does God Help Those Who Help Themselves?

“God helps those who help themselves.” Sounds like a great piece of advice to give someone, doesn’t it? But however hard you may search, neither that saying nor that, well, let’s call it “motivation,” is found in the Bible. So where did it come from? In an article at 9marks.org, Brad Wheeler says,

“Where does this idea come from? It doesn’t come from the Bible; it comes from Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac. And Franklin and his contemporaries adapted it from one of Aesop’s fables—Hercules and the Waggoner (6th century BC). In the story, a waggoner’s heavy load becomes bogged down in mud. In despair, the waggoner cries out to Hercules for help. Hercules replies, ‘Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.’ It’s rather ironic that a polytheistic tale appealing to Greek mythology has now made its way into what believers think is in the pages of Scripture.”^[1]

But the Bible does actually have a lot to say about the God who is our helper. We will look at just four examples, although many, many more could be found.

Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

William MacDonald says this verse describes, “God’s personal love and care for His people. The implied question is, ‘Have idols ever cared for you so tenderly?’ God has called them from Ur of the Chaldees to be His servant; they are assured of His presence, His relationship, His help, and His sustaining power.” He calls this “one of the loveliest verses in Isaiah!”^[2]

While this verse speaks directly to God’s care for His people, Israel, similar promises are made in various ways throughout the Bible.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary explains,

“God’s people need not fear his presence,… He is Immanuel, ‘God with us.’ This great God is ‘ever-present’ with his people. He is the source and effectiveness of Israel’s ‘strength.’ He is like a ‘refuge’ where one finds rest and asylum (cf. 14:6; 61:3; 91:2, 9). He is like a ‘fortress’ in an isolated, elevated place (cf. Isa 33:16), where people built a stronghold against the enemy. When the people are in distress, they need his special protection. Then he is close to them.”^[3]

Look up and meditate on the other verses he mentions as you reflect upon the One who is your refuge.

Psalm 23:1-6 –The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This is such a familiar and popular psalm that many of us quote it without really thinking about what it says or what it means. But William MacDonald warns,

“Despite its worldwide popularity, the Psalm is not for everyone. It is applicable only to those who are entitled to say, ‘The LORD is my Shepherd.’ It is true that the Good Shepherd died for all, but only those who actually receive Him by a definite act of faith are His sheep. His saving work is sufficient for all, but it is effective only for those who actually believe on Him. Everything therefore hinges on the personal pronoun my. Unless He is my Shepherd, then the rest of the Psalm does not belong to me. On the other hand, if He is really mine and I am really His, then I have everything in Him!"^[4]

Psalm 121:1-8 – I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Another popular and very encouraging psalm. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says,

“The ‘help’ the psalmist is concerned with pertains to protection, guidance, and blessing, which can only come from the Lord. He comforts himself with the thought that the Lord is ‘the Maker of heaven and earth.’ …

“The ground for the psalmist’s confidence lies in the further development of the doctrine of God: the guardian (‘he who watches’) of Israel is the guardian of every believer. He protects, guides, and blesses his own. He will be their ‘shade’ as he protects them day and night. The intensity of his care is further amplified as he never sleeps nor slumbers. The Lord is always there to help and to protect his people.”^[5]

Does God help those who try to help themselves? Well, it should be clear from just these four passages that that is not the case. But God does graciously and abundantly help those who throw themselves upon His mercy and depend on Him for help. Here is the promise He gave in Matthew 11:28-20:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

And again, “I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Endnotes

1. Brad Wheeler, “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves,” https://www.9marks.org/article/god-helps-those-who-help-themselves/.↑
2. Believer’s Bible Commentary, Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald. Accessed at biblegateway.com↑
3. Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, Copyright 2004. Accessed at biblegateway.com.↑
4. Believer’s Bible Commentary, op. cit.↑
5. Expositor’s Bible Commentary, op. cit.↑