“God helps those who help themselves.”
How many times have you heard that phrase in a pep talk or motivational speech? Maybe you’ve even whispered it to yourself on the way to the gym to tackle your New Year’s resolutions. (Yep, it’s that time of year again.) It sounds biblical, right? After all, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 does say, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
So unless you’ve read my list of 10 Things Jesus Never Said in the Bible, it might come as a complete shock that the so-called proverb “God helps those who help themselves” is found exactly zero times in scripture.
Nope, Jesus never said that, and neither did Solomon.
So where did it come from and, more importantly, is the concept biblical? Does God require you to do a certain level of work or achieve a particular goal before he’ll step in and offer his divine assistance? If you’ve ever wondered how much you are supposed to rely on God versus figuring things out on your own, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s find out if the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is a myth, a half-truth, or something Scripture actually supports.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
Background: Where Did “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves” Originate?
If it’s not from the Bible, how did this common saying come about?
About 500 years before Jesus walked the earth, legendary Greek fabulist Aesop wrote, “The gods help them that help themselves,” in his fable Hercules and the Waggoner. Benjamin Franklin standardized the wording we know today in his 1736 Poor Richard’s Almanack. But the concept was also the topic of ancient Greek tragedies, mythology, and lore, so its exact origin can’t be pinpointed. Even the Islamic Koran carries the sentiment (Ar-Ra’d 13:11).
In short, this “proverb” has origins in pagan religion.
That alone, however, does not make it untrue. Satan is good at mixing fact and fiction like salt with sugar. But at least now you have the basic history on the phrase “God helps those who help themselves.”
The Myth of the Aim-Assist God
Many video games utilize an AI tool known as Aim Assist. (It’s been around for a while, so don’t let that knowledge steer you toward a rabbit hole of AI world-takeover conspiracy theories.) During a game such as Call of Duty, AI-assisted aiming makes your shots more accurate. Without it, you would hit your target far less often, and video games would be more frustrating. But Aim Assist has no power when you’re not actively shooting at anything.
Sometimes, Christians see God as the great Aim Assist for life. You’re the one who takes the shot, while he simply helps you hit your target. This mindset puts you in control and God in a more passive role, acting only when you do.
Contrast that with these Bible verses about God:
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
This is not the description of a God who only assists your aim. God is supreme and all-powerful, working events and circumstances for his people. Do not be so arrogant as to think you provoked God to action simply because you yourself took action.
That’s not the way he works.
Yes, God Wants You to Take Action
Given this clarification, you might be tempted to swing the pendulum far the other way.
If God is in control, working things for my good, why do I need to do anything at all?
Don’t forget: God provides for us in two ways:
- Supernaturally
- Naturally
Dropping manna from heaven in Exodus 16 was undoubtedly a supernatural event that the Israelites were privileged to experience. (And with no help from themselves, I might add.) For the rest of us, God puts bread on our tables naturally, through our ability to work. He gives us the privilege of participating in bettering our own circumstances.
Got a bill to pay? Find a job. Want to pass that class and become a brain surgeon? Study hard. Struggling with a few extra pounds? Hit the gym and watch your diet.
In my post Faith Without Works: Does Prayer Make Christians Lazy? I use the example of three students facing an exam to show the fine balance between trusting God to provide and expecting God to do work you could be doing yourself. For many of us, financial woes, rocky relationships, and temptations come because we’re unwilling to lift a finger and utilize the resources God has given in answer to our prayers.
In His Word, God makes it clear that we have work to do.
“For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
1 Corinthians 3:9
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Genesis 2:15
Yes, you should trust him. But you were not created to sit back and do nothing.
Except in one area.
Salvation: The One Place Where You Literally Can Do Nothing
You cannot work your way into heaven. Nothing you say or do will make you “gooder” in God’s eyes. No matter how many soup kitchens you work in, or how much money you give to the homeless shelter, or how many church services you attend, none of it can be credited to your account of righteousness.
Because your account has already been paid, in full, by Christ.
This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 4:5
“However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”
He’s not telling you to not study, train, or work hard. He’s speaking of righteousness, a gift from God. God helped you because you can’t help yourself. (See Romans 5:8.)
So while you are given the ability to contribute to your well-being, this is the one area where you can sit back and say, “God took care of it for me.”
For more on salvation, see my post What is the Most Difficult Christian Belief to Accept?
Conclusion: God Helps Those He Loves—You
In all honesty, God does not always help in a worldly sense—at least, not the way you want him to. Even faithful believers will suffer through tough times:
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Without any work from you, God worked salvation and made you perfect in his own eyes so that you can, in return, worship him with faithful service on Earth. Lay your burdens on him, and rejoice that you are invited to take part in his holy work!
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
More On Trusting God & Holy Living for Teens
Check out my other articles to help you live a holy life of faith.