You fill in the blank: “God helps those… __________________.” Chances are if you are my age, you said “God helps those who help themselves.” It’s probably something we have all heard growing up. It’s a phrase I have heard all my life– mostly from my most beloved Grandpa, who wasn’t religious at all. (Another one of my grandpa’s favorite sayings was “Do unto others before they do unto you.” But that’s another post for another day.)

Just a few years ago I was listening as a pastor in a tiny Baptist church who said those same words. I was a bit disappointed that such a thing would be said from the pulpit. I mean… if we wanted to reach, it could be pointed out that when God provided manna for the Israelites who were wandering the desert, they DID have to get out of their tents to collect it. However, I think the real point there was that God helps those who are helpless.

In Isaiah 57:14-21, God helps the helpless. In Psalm 68:5, God takes care of the orphans and protects the widows. In Psalm 116:6, God protects ordinary people and saved “me” when I was helpless. All great examples of God helping the helpless. So, do we even need to help ourselves? Sure! Being good stewards of all that God gives us including our time, money, gifts, and talents is how we can help ourselves. But it is only because of what God gives us (in our otherwise helpless state) that we can do anything. Apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5). God helps the helpless.