God helps those ...

Before I was saved or knew anything about the Bible, I thought the saying “God helps those who help themselves” could have come from the Bible. It sounded “biblical” to me. I knew I was reluctant to help people who weren’t trying to do better. I figured God agreed. Now I know that God helps the helpless, also known as the undeserving. It’s called salvation.

People trying to improve their circumstances seem more worthy of our time and other resources. Who would you rather help: someone working two jobs to make ends meet or an able-bodied welfare recipient? Here’s a real-life example: 56-year-old James Robertson makes $10.55 an hour at his job. His car broke down, and he couldn’t afford another one. Instead of using that as an excuse not to work, he began taking the bus part of the way and walking the rest. The “rest” grew into a 21-mile round-trip on foot. When his shift was done, he did the same in reverse.

When I first heard about Robertson, I assumed someone would start a crowd-sourced fund-raiser for him, or had already done so. One man took the initiative, intending to raise $5,000 so that Robertson could buy a used car. So far, donors have given nearly $285,000 to this campaign. From the Detroit Free Press:

“More than a hundred others offered cash for a car, or their own cars, as well as bus tickets, bicycles and even daily chauffeur service for Robertson. …

“A man in Evanston, Ill., said he wanted to pay for a car and several years’ worth of insurance. A self-employed man in Madison Heights said he would drive Robertson to work and home, each day, for free.”

Robertson’s story has gone viral. Isn’t it amazing how generous people can be when they see someone pushing through adversity? People help each other. That’s what we do. But most of us have a problem with the government telling us whom we should help, or more accurately, taking part of our paycheck and helping those whom the government deems worthy.

I don’t know much about Robertson’s beliefs or his personal life, but we can deduce that he has a sense of dignity. He knows he must work, and he knows walking that distance is a hardship, especially in the winter. In Michigan. But he’s doing it anyway. He doesn’t seem to feel sorry for himself. People saw his need and responded.

Christians are to do good works and help those in need. For the unsaved, the need transcends the physical. Although Christ healed sickness and fed hungry people during His earthly ministry, these acts were signs pointing to spiritual healing and feeding. He came to seek and to save the lost, not convince the Romans to create tax-funded programs to feed, clothe, and shelter people.

Praying Christians are a kind of crowd-sourced campaign. Though people might appreciate payments more than prayers, the consequences of the latter are eternal.