Job was good for nothing. Think about that.
In the cosmic confrontation between God and the Satan, we are repeatedly told that Job did good, that he continued to be a good and godly believer despite his sufferings. After losing his wealth and status, and, most sorrowfully, after the death of his ten children, Job responded in worship and we are informed that, “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” (1:20–22). Job remained good for nothing.
In chapter 2 Job loses his health, and as the sufferings become less surreal and more real over time, we read God’s commendation of Job to an accusing devil: “He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason” (2:3). God was saying, quite literally, that Job was continuing to be good for nothing.
Finally, when tempted by his wife to deny and dishonour God, Job responded, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (2:10). In other words, “We should be good, and we should do good, for nothing.” This is such an important lesson for each of us to ponder and to practice.
The prosperity gospels, which are not the gospel, inundate our society, including many churches. They subtly (and not so subtly) proclaim the lie that God owes us when we do what is right. Of course, this misses the biblical emphasis that man is sinful, that there is none righteous, no not one, and that our only hope is in the mercy of God. Nevertheless, many try to bargain with God that in return for “doing good” or “being good.” He is to respond by providing prosperity, usually in the form of wealth and health.
What, of course, is often missed is that prosperity is often the ruin of many. As life is cushioned, commitment to cross-carrying often dwindles. As finances increase, as health and fitness improves, as relationships enjoy relative calm, we are often tempted to get off our knees, to casually dismiss fellowship with the church, to pursue recreation rather than the re-Creator (Revelation 21:5), to pursue our individual kingdom rather than seeking first the kingdom of God. This is why Job’s initial testimony is so remarkable for, in his prosperity, Job “did good.” He was faithful toward God to the degree that God personally commended him (1:1–8). Of course, the Satan accused him of being and doing good because God gave him good things (1:9–11). Though the devil is a liar and a slanderer, sometimes he gets it right. He has observed enough sinful and self-centred human history (sourced from him [Genesis 3:1–5; 1 John 2:15–17]) to know that there are many whose “loyalty” to God is for sale. As long as all goes according to their plan, they will serve and honour the Lord. But when things go south, well, so does the affection for God. Not so with Job. And neither should it be for the child of God. Rather, like Job, we should be good for nothing.
When disease and dis-ease strike the Christian, when death comes to the home of the believer, when disaster comes upon the comforts of the disciple, when depravity destroys the marriage of the sister in Christ, when discord breaks the bonds of a cherished friendship between brothers in the Lord, when such discouragements come upon the believer, we are called to continue to do good and to be good for nothing. Actually, not for nothing, but rather for the glory of God.
Someone somewhere wrote about those who lament that “life is not fair” and therefore they become embittered toward God, and angry towards others. This wise someone counselled in response, “Yes, life is not fair. But remember, God is not life.” Job did not have the light you and I have, but he had enough saving grace to know that God is faithful, and God is good (see God’s Pinned Post in Exodus 34!) and, therefore, Job chose to be good for nothing. May God help us to do the same.
Seeking to be good for nothing,
Doug