There’s a saying “God helps those who help themselves”. I believe “God helps those TO help themselves” Many people don’t help the needy because they feel they have caused their own problems and they’re really not worthy of help because of it. Or they harbor bitterness and contempt by feeling “Why should I help them ? Nobody ever helped me.”

God so loved the world that he gave us his son not because we deserved his favor or earned it in any way, but because he loved us. Period. Instead of letting us languish in our sins, he devised a plan to allow us to escape from our imprisonment. God offers to bail each of us out, but it must be on his terms. Believing in his son is the beginning. Repenting of our sins. Being baptized. Living faithfully. These are all required.