God Helps Those Who Help Themselves or Does He?

God helps those who help themselves is probably one of the most accepted and popular, yet non-Biblical and theologically incorrect statments quoted today by believers and non-believers alike. It originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. However, it is more often attributed to to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. ( http://www.gotquestions.org/God-help-themselves.html ) Many even think it is a quote out of the Bible. What a tradegy but lends credibility to the idea that if you repeat a lie often enough people will believe it. It is a tradegy because it is contrary to basic Christian theology.

The implication is that we are to devise a plan, work the plan to the best of our ability and God will assist us. That is role reversal. That is making us god, the basis of humanism which by definition is any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity predominate. ( http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humanism ) It is also the ultimate example of pride.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

That is the rationale that got Eve in trouble in the Garden of Eden.

Gen. 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (KJV)

It seems to be human nature to believe we must do something to earn satisfaction and favor ot the god or gods. That is what separates Christianity and in particular Protestantism from other religions. Salvation cannot be had until a person realizes their need of salvattion and they cannot save themselves.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life t (KJV)hrough Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV)

Salvation is a gift it can't be earned.

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)

If it could be earned it would have negated the need for Christ to have come to earth and die the substitutionary death for us.

I am sure all born again believers have no argument with points made thus far but for some unknown reason many then assume,adopt and propagate the philosophy "God helps those that help themselves." But Scripture does not support it for the believer either. Just because we are a believer does not give us the right to assume control of our lives. How rediculous!

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV)

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (KJV)

John15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV)

2 Corthinians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (KJV)

The whole of the sermon on the mount given by Jesus was quite revolutionary in thought. And in chapter 6 of Matthew he says:

Matthew 6:25-32 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (KJV)

Then in summation in verse 33 says:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)

Does any of that look supportive of God helps those who help themselves?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man. (BBE)