Have you heard it said that “God helps him who helps himself?” Do you believe it? Who do you think said it? It wasn’t Father. That is not the way He works. It does make sense from our human perspective that the harder we try the better our chances of success, But what is it that we’re trying to do and who are we doing it for? If we get stuck on ourselves thinking we need the best of everything to be happy, we may find that we lose everything including what we started with. Father doesn’t want us to be self-centered. This life is not about us as individuals. 

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” (Proverb 11:24 Msg) That just doesn’t seem to make sense to us. I’ve often heard that the rich get rich by being stingy which does make sense; the more you hold onto the more you’ll have–right? Not according to the One who designed it all. “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (Proverb 11:25) 

Have you ever heard a child declare, “I didn’t ask to be born!” as if that gives them some providential right to their own way? The statement is true; none of us asked to be born. “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.” (John 15:16) We are here for His purpose, not ours. And His purpose is to show the love of Jesus and turn hearts to Him. 

Do you realize that sometimes the best way you can help is to remove yourself from the situation and simply pray about it? The person you are trying to help may not understand, but if your idea of help is to provide for them continuously, you may need to stop or you risk taking Father’s place in their lives. It’s tough love to step back and allow Father to move. The transition from depending on you to faith in Father can be a rough and rocky time; growth is often painful.

“As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.” (John 15:16) Jesus says to ask in relation to Him and He is Love. If we are asking in love for others, we are seeking kingdom-building tools and He will provide them. That’s the way you find help for yourself through the Lord; by helping others find Jesus. Pray for opportunities to love like Jesus.