Is it Selfish to be Religious

Thomas Spurgeon.

Job 1:9

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?

Satan employs a base insinuation against the servant of the Lord. "Doth Job fear God for nought?" He cannot find room to accuse Job. There is no foothold for him in Job's character; he cannot bring a railing accusation against him. So he imputes bad motives. He says that Job fears God for what he can get out of it. It is not to be wondered at that Satan employs such a weapon. What is true of Satan is true of all his sons. "Marvel not if the world hate you." A treacherous heart accuses all of treachery. Job signally refutes the slander. Carey was offered by the government £1000 per annum if he would turn interpreter. He had nobler work than that. They raised the bribe — £5000 in the service of your country. No, he had nobler work than that. Yet Satan might have insinuated, "Doth Carey serve God for nought?" Although this was a base insinuation, Satan really made assertion of a blessed fact. He himself confesses, "Hast Thou not made a hedge about him?" etc. Godliness with contentment is great gain. We do not serve God for nought. He is not a Master who forgets to care for His servants, or treats His children ill. The poorest and meanest of God's saints would bear glad testimony to the unmistakable fact that it is good to serve God; it has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

(Thomas Spurgeon.)