Love help: “God helps those who help themselves.” - Help.com

lol Donald Trump?

Well you are correct, it isn’t biblical and it is taken from a quote from Ben Franklin.

The bible teaches the exact opposite, and we are told to help the helpless, and in fact to carry eachother’s burdens.

Buuuut, with that said, this concept or statement stated by Mr. Franklin can be considered true in a sense because the bible does teach us that we are not to be idle,( or inactive, slothful) and that perseverance through anything is the key for character and our faith.
We are told to help without grumbling, and anything we do we should do with good cheer. God helps us always, but sometimes people expect God to come through for them without having to “lift a finger” so to speak, perhaps that is what is meant by the statement, but again you are correct, it isn’t biblical, and therefore should be taken lightly.
Many people think that “wise” sayings come from the bible,but again “let God be true and every man a liar” Our own egos are our downfall, and through the above statement that was quoted by a famous individual, it sealed his infamous fate throughout time. He left a legacy whether he realized it or not.

“Let God be true…” Is a biblical quote.

“God **** she has a big booty”… another non biblical quote

Well… I don’t know he source of the quote, but Serenity appears very knowledgeable and I trust her, (and wow, what a beautiful avatar Srnityblu!) and it does sound like something Ben Franklin would say.

To me I look to what Jesus taught. Always he taught us that if we DO something, the kingdom of heaven will be ours. ASK and you shall receive…. KNOCK and the door will be answered. HAVE THE FAITH, of a mustard seed… If you don’t first do something (help yourself) then God cannot help you.
Bright blessings ~ Richard

It should also be noted that Ben was a deist, and so his views on religion and virtue, somewhat different than the norm.

I say,don’t knock it,If it brings someone higher,rather than the negative,empty statements we hear all the time,Then so be it.It’s like the other one”Cleanliness is next to Godliness” that’s not in the KJV .But I’m sure it has had an impact for the good.BTW,What is the opposite of God helps…….?

For those who believe, God loves everyone…not just the ones that help themselves. Its a rather selfish quote i think.

And it is taught that Jesus loves us no matter what we do. (i think?)

I am a christian but not a great bible studier. Which makes me no less a christian. But i will take peoples word for it, the fact that it isnt from the bible.

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS - “This ancient proverb is said by some to have come from ancient Hebrew writings. However, its first appearance in English - though in slightly altered form - seems to be in the writings of Francis Bacon. In his ‘Advancement of Learning’ (1605) he wrote: ‘Cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God.’ Near two centuries later John Wesley in one of his sermons (1791) indicated that the proverb was already well known in the form we use today. Wrote Wesley: ‘Slovenliness is no part of religion.’Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness.’” From “Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins” by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988). There are a couple more details in “Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings” (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996): “.According to the fourteenth edition of ‘Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,’ it is an old Hebrew proverb used in the late 2nd century by Rabbi Phinehas ben-Yair. First attested in the United States in the ‘Monthly Anthology and Boston Review’ (1806). The proverb is found in varying forms.” http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_bo…

The thing is I think it has more to do with drawn parallels, like the body being the temple of God—etc. Purity, purity of soul through Christ…Christ washing peoples feet…

But the people that come here for help ARE doing something. They are coming here… they are seeking… and that is doing something.

Its like if you go a buffet right…. and like you can eat as much as you want right….and you dont have to pay a waitress! Thanks God.

I haven’t read the other posts- but that is not Bible– I am pretty sure that is Poor Richard’s Almanac– Benjamin Franklin, who was himself a deist, I believe. Thus, the statement makes perfect sense in light of his belief system.

fengshuisweetheart wrote:
I haven’t read the other posts- but that is not Bible– I am pretty sure that is Poor Richard’s Almanac– Benjamin Franklin, who was himself a deist, I believe. Thus, the statement makes perfect sense in light of his belief system.

Exactly.

Watcher wrote:
But usually here, on this web site, people are looking for help, and to imply that God will not help you unless you do something is, to me, disheartening.

THANK YOU!!!

I totally agree with Richard,to try is to succeed

Ok I’m the culprit or at least one of the people who said that. Yes you are correct that is not from the Bible and the Bible does actually say that God helps the helpless. But my point was not to just to pray and fall into inactivity. Although there are times that someone needs to just “put it in God’s hands” and wait for God’s timing. Anyway, I think srnityblu summed it up best.

aw shucks guys you make me blush… teehee, have a good day/evening all, I’m glad I could help.
your friend, Shannon

[quote srnityblu]Well you are correct, it isn’t biblical and it is taken from a quote from Ben Franklin.

Thanks, I was not sure where that came from, but I know it not from the bible.

[EDIT]

srnityblu wrote:
Well you are correct, it isn’t biblical and it is taken from a quote from Ben Franklin.

Thanks, I was not sure where that came from, but I know it not from the bible.

Watcher, I am glad that you brought this up, as I too have felt the same way. I ran into a book several years ago, that was filled with quotes that are repeated often, but do not originate in the bible, however are attributed to it. I wish I would have bought it. When I run into it again I will.

Blessings….

This post is funny to me, because so often I hear people say things like “the bible says” when in fact the bible doesn’t say. I think a lot of things get passed from generation to generation.

The thought is “That’s how Grandpa believed so that’s how I’m going to believe”!

Watcher, as everyone else, I’m very pleased that you shed light on this. Cleanliness is next to Godliness is also not in the Bible. Anyway, May God bless and keep you.

Is not biblican based on what i read but you can read this maybe it helps.
In fact this quotation has come down to us from GREEK MYTHOLOGY! Specifically it comes to us from one of Aesop’s fables, of the 6th century B.C. Let’s read this fable entitled “Hercules and the Waggoner.” “A Waggoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong.

‘O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress,’ quoth he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said: ‘Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.’

The gods help them that help themselves.”

The saying “the gods help those that help themselves” evolved to “God helps those who help themselves” as the phrase was repeated and passed on from culture to culture throughout the centuries. And, Christians, as well as others, often quote this phrase thinking it is Biblically based, without realizing that it actually originated from pagan mythology.

Demonboy, that was an excellent answer and you sound like you are very well educated.

DemonBoy wrote:
Is not biblican based on what i read but you can read this maybe it helps.
In fact this quotation has come down to us from GREEK MYTHOLOGY! Specifically it comes to us from one of Aesop’s fables, of the 6th century B.C. Let’s read this fable entitled “Hercules and the Waggoner.” “A Waggoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong.

‘O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress,’ quoth he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said: ‘Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.’

The gods help them that help themselves.”

The saying “the gods help those that help themselves” evolved to “God helps those who help themselves” as the phrase was repeated and passed on from culture to culture throughout the centuries. And, Christians, as well as others, often quote this phrase thinking it is Biblically based, without realizing that it actually originated from pagan mythology.

I’m nick picking here but he pray to Hercules for help not God.

thank you

I don’t think it matters who wrote it. I am inclined to agree with Watcher- it is a somewhat demoralising statement. What I don’t like about it is that i am sure it has been used by many people over the ages as an escape route from helping their fellow human beings.