The Bible is filled with knowledge and wisdom. However, we have the tendency to misrepresent the Good Book. Our motives are usually solid. Yet, we can unintentionally lead people astray by misquoting the Bible. Fake Bible Verses, regrettably, are fooling many.
Here are seven phrases that are actually fake Bible verses.
#1 God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
“God helps those who help themselves” is quite possibly the most common fake Bible verse of all. The quote is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Many believe that it is a Proverb. Both are wrong. The quote actually originated from a 1698 article titled Discourses Concerning Government.
Does God help those who help themselves?
Is there any Biblical truth to this fake bible verse?
In terms of salvation, the answer is definitely not.
The phrase, at first blush, seems Biblical but it’s not.
#2 You Can’t Outgive God
This one is super dangerous because it’s typically a tool of manipulation.
I recently watched a video of a minister speaking about giving. He quoted this fake Bible verse. I playfully asked for the chapter and verse of that statement in the comments. The response was James 1:17 which has nothing to do with giving.
Is it possible to outgive God?
That’s a dangerous question.
Salvation cannot be earned and it definitely can’t be bought. The idea of giving financially to “pay God back” is dangerous and borderline heretical.
The phrase, “you can’t outgive God” is rarely used when discussing salvation, though. It’s most often used as a means to squeeze money out of reluctant givers.
Desperate ministers tacitly imply that if one gives their last dollar God will give them two more.
Our motive for giving should be pure. Giving should be joyful and not coerced. We don’t give to get more and we don’t give to test God.
#3 Give Until It Hurts!
“Give until it hurts” is similar to “you can’t outgive God” with a slight twist. “You can’t outgive God” is usually used for those down to their last few bucks. “Give until it hurts” is often reserved for the wealthy as a verbal guilt trip.
Jesus encourages lavish giving but He never said to give until it hurts.
Luke 21:3-4 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:3-4 is probably the closest thing to “give until it hurts.” However, Jesus was not necessarily admiring or congratulating the widow’s behavior. It’s my belief that Jesus was putting the screws to the teachers of the law.
There are times when sacrificial giving is warranted. Sacrificial giving is the exception and not the rule, however.
#4 Money Is The Root Of All Evil
This one is at least partially Biblical.
I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Money can be dangerous. Jesus issued several warnings pertaining to money. We’d be wise to heed them. However, neither He nor an apostle, stated that money is the root of all evil.
This fake Bible verse is a favorite of those who see themselves as financial victims. Jealousy and envy take root and it’s easy to blame an outside force.
Money in and of itself is amoral. It’s also not evil.
Humans are sinful.
We have the tendency to corrupt and pollute everything we encounter. Money, when blended with original sin, is combustible.
Paul encouraged us to flee the love of money and to pursue righteousness.
#5 A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted
This fake bible verse sounds like it could be a Biblical Proverb. The phrase is wise but it’s not a Biblical Proverb. It’s believed to have originated in 1573 by Thomas Tusser. It resurfaced again in 1587 in a work by Dr. John Bridges.
The Bible speaks about fools and money so we don’t need to use fake Bible verses.
Proverbs 17:16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
Proverbs 21:2o Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
The curse brought scarcity. Scarcity requires trade-offs.
Foolishness leads to bad decisions. Bad decisions lead to a fool and his money being departed.
#6 Charity Begins At Home
The phrase, “charity begins at home” is a common sense statement but not a Biblical Proverb. It was first put into print in a 16th-century play written by John Marston. It was advanced again in 1642 and written as:
Charity begins at home, is the voice of the world: yet is every man his greatest enemy.
Sir Thomas Browne
The phrase is typically a way for people to justify not being charitable. How could one give to others if things at home are financially chaotic? The issue is rarely a lack of money but an ability to properly budget and practice self-control.
We should be able to properly care for our families and give to others. However, if a choice must be made our families should come first.
I Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Jesus encouraged the proper honoring of our mothers and fathers. There is a financial component to that type of honor (Mark 7:9-13).
Charity begins at home is a phrase that actually has Biblical connotations but it’s just not a legitimate Bible verse.
#7 Everything Happens For A Reason
When mistakes are made it’s easy to make light of them. A banal statement such as “everything happens for a reason” is an easy way to pass the buck and blame Providence.
Sometimes the reason something happened is that we made a bad decision and must deal with the consequences.
God is sovereign and provident. However, we still must obey His word and make decisions every day.
It’s silly to blame Him for our poor decisions. Plus, it’s not an actual Bible verse. The closest thing is found in Proverbs but’s not the same thing.
Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Any Additional Fake Bible Verses?
Can you think of any fake Bible verses other than these seven? If so, share them on social media.