I

God’s deeds are greater in number

than the grains of sand on the beaches,

and His wisdom surpasses all the sons of Solomon,

yet people merely think of Him as a physician of little account

and an unknown teacher of man.

So many believe in God only that He might heal them.

So many believe in God only that He might use His powers

to drive unclean spirits out from their bodies,

and so many believe in Him simply

that they might receive peace and joy from Him.

So many believe in God only to demand from Him greater material wealth.

So many believe in God just to spend this life in peace

and to be safe and sound in the world to come.

So many believe in God to avoid the suffering of hell

and to receive the blessings of heaven.

II

So many believe in God only for temporary comfort,

yet do not seek to gain anything in the world to come.

When God brought down His fury upon man

and seized all the joy and peace they once possessed,

they became doubtful.

When He gave unto man the suffering of hell

and reclaimed the blessings of heaven,

their shame turned into anger,

their shame turned into anger.

When man asked God to heal them,

He paid them no heed and felt abhorrence toward them;

man departed from Him

to instead seek the way of evil medicine and sorcery.

When God took away all that man had demanded from Him,

everyone disappeared without a trace.

Thus, God says that man has faith in Him

because He gives too much grace,

and there is far too much to gain,

there is far too much to gain.

from The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. What Do You Know of Faith?