Common Myths About the Bible – #5

Myth #5: "God helps those who help themselves."

This saying is often attributed to the Bible... but it's not actually found anywhere in Scripture. In fact, passages such as Luke 18:9–14 and 2 Corinthians 1:8–11 seem to suggest the opposite: God helps those who admit they can't help themselves.

When it comes to salvation from sin, we are all helpless. No matter how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves. Ephesians 2:8–9 reads, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

That being said, the Biblical book of Proverbs does encourage people to work hard to provide for themselves and their families. For example, Proverbs 6:10–11, 12:11, and 13:4 caution against laziness and recommend hard work.

But the message of the Gospel is not one of self-help and self-improvement. The Gospel calls us to surrender to the only One who can help us – Jesus Christ.

Scripture quoted from the ESV.