15“Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?”
Some theological beliefs are more dangerous than others. Some beliefs about marriage or friendship are more destructive. Job encapsulates his friend’s theology in this verse. They are in essence saying that you only go into a relationship with the LORD to get something for yourself. If we had that attitude toward marriage we would have an epidemic of divorce, but, that’s right, we do! We can’t keep a good relationship solid when we have selfish motives. If we are in it for us, things will fall apart. Jesus calls us into relationship with Himself. The relationship is primary; any benefits we receive are secondary. Job’s points out to his friends that they too have negative things happen to them. There is no correlation between wealth and prosperity and a relationship with the LORD. There are some very wicked rich people. Wealth does not indicate God’s blessing. We can’t stay in close relationship over time with selfish motives. We can’t have it be all about us forever. When kids come into a relationship, selfishness has to retreat or the kids are not cared for properly. Selfishness will leave us alone and unloved. We are called to serve other people as Christ’s representatives. We can’t serve Jesus and other people and remain selfish. The relationship with Jesus will change us. Being married will change us. In what ways are you selfish?
The Arnold Journey 