God Helps Those Who Help Themselves?

Today we'll continue our series on things Jesus never said by examining a phrase many people probably think comes straight from the Bible.  

“God helps those who help themselves.”

It sounds biblical.

In fact, many people are surprised to discover that it isn't in the Bible at all.

It actually comes from Ancient Greece, some four centuries before Jesus, coined by playwrights and philosophers and even found in Aesop's famous fables. 

And there's another problem, which is even more important to point out.

It doesn't sound much like Jesus.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus encounters people who cannot help themselves.

Blind Bartimaeus sits beside the road crying out for mercy. A paralyzed man has to be carried to Jesus by his friends. Lepers approach Jesus because they cannot heal themselves. Hungry crowds have no food. A woman caught in adultery has no defense. Even the disciples find themselves in a storm they cannot control.

Again and again, Jesus meets people at the limits of their own ability.

And he helps them.

We live in a culture that prizes self-sufficiency. Work harder. Try harder. Fix yourself. Pull yourself together. Don't let anyone see you struggling.

Eventually, we can begin treating our spiritual lives the same way.

We assume God is waiting for us to get our act together before God will step in.

But grace works differently.

Grace begins with the recognition that there are some things we simply cannot do for ourselves.

We cannot earn forgiveness.

We cannot manufacture peace.

We cannot heal every wound.

We cannot control every outcome.

We cannot save ourselves.

And strangely enough, admitting that can feel like freedom.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.”

Not: Come to me when you've figured everything out.

Not: Come to me when you've proven how strong you are.

Just:

Come.

Effort, responsibility, discipline, and perseverance certainly have a place in the Christian life. Following Jesus isn't passive.

But effort and grace are not the same thing.

We participate in what God is doing, but we don't earn God's love by proving that we deserve help.

Sometimes the most faithful prayer isn't, “God, give me enough strength to handle this myself.”

Sometimes it is simply:

“God, I can't do this alone.”

And perhaps that is exactly where grace begins.

God doesn't help us because we've proven how strong we are. God helps us because God loves us.

May we all come to understand that even in our weakest moments, when we feel helpless and hopeless, God's love and grace are more than enough to get us through.  

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. 

Prayer

Gracious God, forgive me for the times I believe I have to do everything on my own. Give me the humility to ask for help, the courage to receive it, and the faith to trust that your love does not depend upon my strength. Teach me to rest in your grace. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think it can be difficult to admit that we need help?
2. Where are you currently trying to carry something entirely on your own?
3. What would receiving God's grace look like for you today?