Does The Bible Really Teach That

Does The Bible Really Teach That?

INTRO: Today I want to look at a couple of sayings I have heard all my life and see if they stand up to God's Word. Understand there are a lot of sayings that are true, that are not found written in God's Word. They are often however based on principles found in His Word.

One such saying I have heard is, "God helps those who help themselves." Okay, surely God's Word backs this up? Let us look and see. Lets see how it fits.

First I see this as meaning at least two things. The obvious meaning can be found in the following statement, "God will bless those who try harder." Now I am not trying to put God in a box. I am not meaning to say He has no wiggle room. God is all-powerful, God will and does do as He does, because He is God. He has a certain nature and His nature determines what He does and will do.

Another meaning for this saying may not be as obvious, but it is still there. This meaning can be said in these words…"Don't do anything stupid!"

Lets begin by seeing how God's Word teaches concerning this saying

First…

God expects work in our lives - Gen. 3:19

Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

It is part of life

It is in the plan of our life

It is usually difficult

It is rewarding and often satisfying

It happens, JOIN IN!
The following verse actually shows both my statements… Proverbs 14:23

Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

NKJV: In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

And Ephesians 4:28 also shows both sides of this statement…

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

God expects work or labor in our lives

We can also see…
God blesses labor and hard work in our lives (as a reward)

Matthew 25:22 - 23 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

^{23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.}
He wants us to work for them

Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

He sees and knows our labors

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

He has specific work or labor for each of us as we serve Him

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

So we can see…
God blesses labor and hard work in our lives (as a reward)

It would seem that God does help those who help themselves. At least when it comes to work. So, all I have to do is work hard and God will take care of the rest, right?

No…
God knows hard work is not a fix-all

John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

And because of God's knowledge…
God knew (and He knows) the limit and danger of our works

Ephesians 2:1 - 10 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

^{2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
^{3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
^{4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
^{5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
^{6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
^{7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
^{8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
^{9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
^{10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.}}}}}}}}} Remember the two-part meaning of the saying…

"God will bless those who try harder." And "Don't do anything stupid!" Well this part falls into the last part. DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID!

It is unwise to depend on our works for salvation - D.D.A.S.

Don't try to gain something You cannot gain - D.D.A.S.

By GRACE (not works) are you saved

It is a GIFT

Don't put off salvation - why would you? - D.D.A.S.

Don't reject the greatest love ever shown your way

John 3:16 - 18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

^{17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
^{18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.}}

Yes we can see…
God knew (and He knows) the limit and danger of our works - D.D.A.S.

So what is the verdict?

Does God help those who help themselves?

The answer is a qualified… YES!

So what is the qualification?

God helps us when we work hard, but he gives us through His grace what we cannot earn.

God gives us salvation IF we will accept it.

D.D.A.S.

Before I close I want to look at three truths we can gain from God's Word…

Don't expect to change your nature by yourself. You will need

God's help. - Luke 11:26

Don't expect God to change His Word, His nature or the nature of the universe if you do something stupid (like rejecting His Son as your Savior).

Heb. 2:2-3; 2 Pet. 2:4-5; 2 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 8:12; Matt. 22:13; Rev. 20:15; Rev. 21:8; Matt. 25:46

Do expect God to be merciful and full of love to those who believe on His Son, Jesus as their Savior. - 2 Tim. 2:1; Rom. 3:24; Rom. 11:6; Titus 211: Titus 3:5; Titus 3:7; Eph 1:7

I want you to take time this afternoon and look these up.

So what I want you to remember today, is not, "God helps those who help themselves."

I want you to remember, When it comes to works…D.D.A.S.

Don't depend on your good works for salvation!

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 052806am