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  DOTH JOB FEAR GOD FOR NOUGHT?
  by C.H. Spurgeon
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Summary: True love for God is not based on personal gain or prosperity,
but on a genuine devotion to Him, which may involve enduring hardship
and affliction.

Topics: "Faith in Adversity", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Job 1:9

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DESCRIPTION
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C.H. Spurgeon addresses the question posed by Satan regarding Job's
faithfulness, emphasizing that many today love God only for the
blessings He provides. He warns against a superficial faith that falters
in adversity, contrasting it with the true Christian's expectation of
trials as part of their spiritual journey. Spurgeon encourages believers
to embrace affliction, as it leads to spiritual growth and deeper
reliance on God, ultimately preparing them for eternal rewards. He
reminds the faithful that tribulations are not without purpose, as they
refine and strengthen their character in Christ. The sermon concludes
with a call to rejoice in hardships, recognizing them as opportunities
to draw closer to God and long for heavenly treasures.

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CONTENT
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This was the wicked question of Satan concerning that upright man of
old, but there are many in the present day concerning whom it might be
asked with justice, for they love God after a fashion because He
prospers them; but if things went ill with them, they would give up all
their boasted faith in God. If they can clearly see that since the time
of their supposed conversion the world has gone prosperously with them,
then they will love God in their poor carnal way; but if they endure
adversity, they rebel against the Lord.

Their love is the love of the table, not of the host; a love to the
cupboard, not to the master of the house. As for the true Christian, he
expects to have his reward in the next life, and to endure hardness in
this. The promise of the old covenant is adversity. Remember Christ's
words--"Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit"-- What? "He purgeth
it, that it may bring forth fruit." If you bring forth fruit, you will
have to endure affliction. "Alas!" you say, "that is a terrible
prospect."

But this affliction works out such precious results, that the Christian
who is the subject of it must learn to rejoice in tribulations, because
as his tribulations abound, so his consolations abound by Christ Jesus.
Rest assured, if you are a child of God, you will be no stranger to the
rod. Sooner or later every bar of gold must pass through the fire. Fear
not, but rather rejoice that such fruitful times are in store for you,
for in them you will be weaned from earth and made meet for heaven; you
will be delivered from clinging to the present, and made to long for
those eternal things which are so soon to be revealed to you. When you
feel that as regards the present you do serve God for nought, you will
then rejoice in the infinite reward of the future.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ch-spurgeon/doth-job-fear-god-for-nought/
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