# Is “God helps those who help themselves” in the Bible?

> No. “God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/god-helps-those-who-help-themselves
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

Scripture keeps pointing the other way: God helps the helpless (Romans 5:6).

Not in the Bible. Origin: Ancient Greek, in Aesop’s fables; popularized in English by Algernon Sidney and by Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack.

## What the Bible says instead

> For while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly at the appointed time.
>
> — [Romans 5:6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/5#6) (Lumin Translation)

> I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help is from Yahweh, the one who made heaven and earth.
>
> — [Psalm 121:1-2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/121#1) (Lumin Translation)

> For you have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,
>
> — [Isaiah 25:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/isaiah/25#4) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “God helps those who help themselves” in the Bible?

No. “God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible. Scripture keeps pointing the other way: God helps the helpless (Romans 5:6).

### Where does “God helps those who help themselves” come from?

Ancient Greek, in Aesop’s fables; popularized in English by Algernon Sidney and by Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Romans 5:6, Psalm 121:1-2, Isaiah 25:4. Scripture keeps pointing the other way: God helps the helpless (Romans 5:6).

## More

- [Is “Hate the sin, love the sinner” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/hate-the-sin-love-the-sinner.md)
- [Is “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/idle-hands-are-the-devils-workshop.md)
- [Is “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/neither-a-borrower-nor-a-lender-be.md)
- [Is “What goes around comes around” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/what-goes-around-comes-around.md)
- [Is “Bible” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/bible.md)
- [Is “Dog” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/dog.md)
- [Is “Hell” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/hell.md)
- [Is “Religion” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/religion.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)