God helps those who help themselves

16 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by rodi in Uncategorized Tags: Aesop, Aesop's Fables, Bible, Ephesians 2:4-5, Erwin Lutzer, Hercules, Saved by Grace

 

According to Barna  (81%) believe the concept is taught by the Bible. Despite being of non-Biblical origin, the phrase topped a poll of the most widely known Bible verses. Seventy-five percent of American teenagers said they believed that it was the central message of the Bible. (source Wikipedia)

One of the earliest known source for this expression comes from Aesop’s  (Sixth century B.C.) fables:

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.”

Erwin Lutzer argues there is some support for this saying in the Bible

2 Thessalonians 3:10

 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

and  James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

however Erwin states that much more often God helps those who cannot help themselves, which is what grace is about Ephesians 2:4–5

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Romans 4:4–5

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. ⁵However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.