#2. God Helps Those that Help Themselves
This adage was suggested by “Peter” yesterday in the comment section of the first part of this series. Help me build the list by suggesting similar adages for the series.
I have often heard people say, “God helps those that help themselves”, but scripture teaches the opposite. Jesus said, “…they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus came for the ones that could not help themselves and it is the same today.
My family and I live in Orlando; a city famous for Disney World and Mickey Mouse. My son, who was four years old at the time, desperately wanted to go to Disney and was begging me to take him. I explained that it cost money and he told me with great confidence, “I have money dad.” Of course his entire fortune probably didn’t equal a single dollar and anything beyond that was completely beyond his ability to understand. I tried to explain to him that tickets for our family would cost hundreds of dollars, but he could not see the problem. To him money is money and he has some money…therefore he can buy tickets to Disney World.
Warren Buffett is one of the wealthiest men in the world and after giving billions of dollars to charity he said, “There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great way.” Giving to charity is certainly a wonderful thing to do and I applaud Mr. Buffett for his generosity. His contribution will certainly earn him a place in the Gunnies Book of World Records but unfortunately; it will do nothing to earn him a place in Heaven.
“All our righteousness” the prophet tells us, “is as filthy rags”. Even the best we have to offer; our entire life’s fortune of good deeds and charitable contributions is as insignificant as my sons few pennies against the huge cost of admission to Disney World.
Several months ago I hailed a taxicab in Los Angeles and while en route to the airport I began to talk to the driver. He was a religious gentleman who was more than willing to discuss faith and eternity. He explained to me that when he dies and stands before Allah he is confident that his good deeds will be sufficient for him to earn a place in Heaven. I was amazed at his self-assurance. It sounded a lot like my 4-year-old son saying, “I have money dad”. Unfortunately, when this man stands before God rubbing together the two cents of his entire life’s fortune of righteousness and realizes that he does not have enough to pay the price of admission to Heaven it will be too late for him.
This year at Christmas I decided to do something really special for my son (who is a little older now). I not only bought him a ticket to Disney…I bought him an annual pass. Now he can go anytime he wants. He is not just a one-time guest there…now he is like a little citizen.
This is the good news of the Gospel; we were totally unable to help ourselves. We would have had no chance of getting to Heaven. But through the blood of Jesus God, our Father, has purchased eternal life on our behalf and offers it as a gift. And it gets even better! Through Christ we are not only offered admission like a guest at a theme park, we have been offered permanent citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. We have been offered adoption into the Divine family to become sons and daughters of God. We have been offered direct access to God through the blood of Jesus and so much more.
All of this has been offered as a free Gift to we who are helpless on our own. What a wonderful God. He helps those who CANNOT help themselves.
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Hi Daniel,
My name is Keith and my dad goes to your fathers church in Port Charlotte. I have been in full time ministry for about 9 years and currently attend the Advanced Leadership and Pastoral school at Christ for the Nations in Dallas. I was at Firestorm when you and Reinhard were hear. I would love the chance to connect with you sometime. I heard that you were at the church on Sunday and many were very convicted and stirred for a deeper walk with the Lord. Awesome! God bless you and may the Lord do awesome things in 2010!
Keith
@Vicki & Sharon: Yes…”Cleanliness is next to godliness” has been mentioned before. Mothers love to quote this one, but Im quite thankful that it is not scripture 🙂
Thanks Sean…these are some good thoughts.
Thank you Aldrin…God bless you!
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
Actually, cleanliness and godliness don’t have much at all to do with each other.
What about…”cleanliness is next to godliness”….
Hearing people say, “Don’t judge me… Only God can judge me” when someone trys to point something out that isn’t right.
People using, “Well God’s not through with me yet” when they are making excuses for why they are sinning.
When people use 1 Corinthians 9:21-22 as an excuse to do what they want.
“Preach the gospel, use words when necessary” Although this phrase is intended to emphasize that you live the life more than you preach it, people (and many churches) often use it as an excuse not to share about Christ. The bible says in Romans 10:4, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” It is true that you should live the life… but you should also speak out…
The idea that “God wants you rich.” In the Bible it only mentions that you will not go hungry (Psalms 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”) God is concerned with our lives here on earth but only as it relates to our spiritual life. (3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”)
Anywho… these are some of the ones that I could think of
Pro 8:35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;
Another adage “Plenty of time”.
Only the good die young, is an adage satan likes.
Hi Daniel,
It’s a beautiful presentation and a modern parable of real life situation – to present the free gift of God – salvation through the blood of Jesus and eternal life through His love & grace.
God bless you.