The Biblical Misquote That Everyone Believes
Unveiling the Truth Behind ‘God Helps Those Who Help Themselves’
According to Barna research, 82% of the general population believes that the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible. Fortunately, Christians know better than to believe this. That is why only 81% of Christians surveyed believe that this is in the Bible… an entire percentage point better than your average Joe Heathen walking down the street.
Sorry to ruin your day, but the Bible doesn’t actually say, “God helps those who help themselves.” Your Mom says this when she wants you to get up off the couch and go and get a job because you’re a grown-up, for goodness’ sake. Now act like one. “God helps those who help themselves” is a statement that really means, “Get your act together.”
Since “God helps those who help themselves” is not anywhere in the Bible, where did it actually come from?
I’m glad you asked.
Well, it’s in the Koran, for one. It says, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a person until they change what is in themselves.” Before the Koran was written, a similar idea appeared in a first-century Greek fable. In this story, a wagon falls into a ravine, and when the driver asks Hercules for assistance, Hercules responds by…
