Does God Help Those Who Help Themselves?

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. Romans 4:5

D.L. MOODY
I freely admit salvation is worth working for. It is worth a man’s going round the world on his hands and knees, climbing its mountains, crossing its valleys, swimming its rivers, going through all manner of hardship in order to attain it. But we do not get it in that way. It is to him that believeth.

ERWIN LUTZER
Trying to make ourselves worthy of grace and earn salvation is the default position of the human heart. Somewhere I read that eighty percent of Americans believe the statement “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible! Well, it’s not in the Bible and with good reason: God helps those who realize they cannot help themselves. The good news of the gospel is not based on our abilities or our motivation to do better.
I helped disciple a man who grew up in a home with the formalities of Christianity and a mother who kept telling him, “God helps those who help themselves.” But that didn’t help him get out of a life of drugs and immorality. Finally, at the end of himself, crying out in desperation to God, he found a path out of a wasted life. To the glory of God, he is in the ministry today. 
While we work at our vocations, our relationships, and the ordinary events of life, as far as our eternal salvation is concerned, it cannot be bought, earned, or supported by religious rituals. 
Let me quote Paul again, “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due [In other words, you earn it.]. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:4–5).

PRAYER
Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How does the gospel confront our desire to work for our salvation?

What does the Bible say about your ability to “help” God in your salvation?