Western man diabolically insists on being successful. Alas, he wants to be successful even in his adventure with God. If he gives of himself to God, he expects reciprocity. He also reaches a covenant with God, but this covenant is a mercantile one. In a primitive manner, he wants to trade “favors” and exchange goods. The gesture of faith for him is a give-and-take affair and reflects the philosophy of Job which led to catastrophe– a philosophy which sees faith as a quid pro quo arrangement and expects compensation for each sacrifice one offers.
Joseph B. Soloveitchik, The Lonely Man of Faith (New York: Three Leaves Press, Doubleday) 98-99.
