I believe that there are some people who will do everything to avoid asking for help. Many of these individuals are holding on to the old adage that says it is better to help yourself, and some even go so far as to attribute these words with the Bible. And yet this belief is not Biblical.
Just a brief bit of research on this phrase and its origin took me back to ancient Greece where it is first mentioned in the Greek tragedies. Since then it has creeped into all forms of writings and text. Not really a complicated phrase, but certainly one that can set a person’s resolve like flint.
There are many Scriptures in the Bible that speak of God supplying all of our needs. There is one that says that when we have done all we can do it is time to stand, and another that says grace abounds in every situation. These are words that bring life, comfort, and the kind of resolve that speaks to my heart.
As my husband and I were sitting on the terrace at his late mother’s home, we looked up to see a man standing near the trellis. He suddenly appeared after having walked onto the property and up the driveway. This man came very humbly asking for help. It became very clear to us that his need was great and that he had already come up with a plan.
The man’s plan was to pledge a computer device for the financial help that he needed and held in his hand. His thought was to acquire the money from us, leave the equipment as collateral, and return later to give us back our money and take back his expensive electronics. It all started to sound a bit complicated until we invited God into the encounter and then it really turned out to be quite simple.
My husband is not a man to turn another man away. In fact, I don’t recall a time that he did not try to do something for someone in need. The man with the problem who needed enough money to get to a hospital to see his mother came to the right house. He received what he needed, without having to leave collateral, and he gave Jack a hug that demonstrated his thankfulness. He walked down the driveway with what he had come for and we were left with tearful eyes and a mighty blessing.
As people we can make our plans and God can remake them by doing something through us that brings Him glory. Jack told this man that Jesus taught that if we can help, then we should, and it was enough for him.
John 5:5-7 CSB One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had been there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well? “Sir, the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming someone goes down ahead of me.”
“Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.