"HUMBLE YOURSELVES in the sight of the Lord, and HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP" (Holy Bible, James 4:10).  Notice that it does not say that we are to "lift up ourselves," but we are to leave that to God.   When we so-called "help ourselves," then what we are really doing is exalting ourselves over someone else.  We are trying to get something before someone else can.  We are trying to get "the best deal" before someone else can get to it. 

    Remember when there was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot in Genesis chapter 13?  What did Abraham do?   "And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.  Is not the whole land before thee?  separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left" (Holy Bible, Genesis 13:8,9)  Abraham gave Lot the first choice.   Abraham did not say, "God only helps those who help themselves, so, Lot, you get out of here and find your own place to graze your cattle.  I am claiming this good land first!"  That is not what Abraham did.  Abraham gave Lot the first choice, and left the results with God. 

    It so happened that Lot chose the best land for himself.  "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where... Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan" (Holy Bible, Genesis 13:10,11).  Lot chose the low land that would make it easy to graze his cattle.  That left the higher ground for Abraham to try and find pasture for his cattle.  At first, it seems that Abraham made a mistake, and should have "helped himself first," instead of allowing Lot to choose first.  And that is exactly the way that it will seem in our lives, too, at first.  But I have seen through the years that the wisest people are like Abraham, and let God do the exalting.  

    What was picture a little later in Lot and Abraham's lives?  If you will read Genesis chapter 14, you will see that Lot is taken as a hostage when his area is attacked.  It is Abraham that goes to rescue him.   Then, in chapter 19, the Lord sends two angels to Sodom to get Lot.  "And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides?  son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:  For we will destroy this place..." (Holy Bible, Genesis 19:12,13).  But Lot lingered trying to get his sons-in-law to listen to him.  Finally, in the morning, time was running out.  "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city" (Holy Bible, Genesis 19:15,16).  What happened to Lot who "helped himself" to the best, first?  LOT LOST EVERYTHING IN THE END. 

    I have a question for you now.  Have you given your heart and life to Jesus Christ?  If not, then eternity for you will be like the end of Sodom - in the fire, only forever.  Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, and in Him alone to save you?  Then the One who has prepared a place for you in heaven, will also take care of your needs here, without you having to step on others to get things.  "But MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Holy Bible, Philippians 4:19).