People can work hard and get nowhere, be quite unlucky, and God doesn't seem to get very involved in their material success. We all rely on other people or we'd be driving on dirt roads and not buying groceries. People organize themselves into communities - some more helpful than others. It's always a collective effort. It's quite an ableist phrase - mistaken for gospel. And the Prosperity Gospel that says if you're rich God has blessed you (no matter how shady the business that created the wealth apparently) - which is how I interpret God helps those who help themselves. That somehow God likes self centredness and greed. I don't believe that. There's also the biblical phrase about God causing the sun to shine and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike. And of course, the Beatitudes. Those seem to indicate a more humble and generous way of life. As do other teachings of Jesus. One can live a vibrant and even comfortable life - with style even - with little as long as they have enough, and a spirit of creativity. The problem is consumer society dictating what we should have at various stages of life compared to others. Which is false, and dehumanizing. Also, housing costs and shortages mean lots of people pay more than 2/3 of their income just on rent, if they can find a home. That shouldn't be the case and can be a downer after prolonged periods.
And one can work themselves into a sickly green ... and still get nowhere!