Do We Fear God for Nothing?

Note from today’s Bible reading: Job 1-6

The book of Job begins by highlighting this man who was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1). Besides his impeccable character, he was also “the greatest of all the men of the east” due to his incredible wealth (Job 1:3).

However, Satan issued a challenge. After the Lord commended Job, Satan said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face” (Job 1:9-11).

Satan claimed that Job was only faithful to God because God had abundantly blessed him. If these blessings were taken away and replaced with hardships, Satan argued that Job would then turn against God. Of course, even as Job lost everything, he continued to praise God (Job 1:20-21) and “did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

Yet many do what Satan claimed Job would do, even when the hardships they face are not nearly as severe as the ones the patriarch endured. Their service to God is based only on God blessing them in this life, not on who God is. When they do not receive the blessings they expect, they fall away. We must guard against doing this.

So do we fear God for nothing? Is our service to Him dependent upon us having a certain level of prosperity? Or do we serve God because He is God, regardless of our circumstances?