DEUT1680 One who does not trust in God mourns exceedingly if constant tragedy strikes him, if deprived of what he loves, or if denied his wishes. He saves up great stores of material wealth, as if he were secure from passing away. The fear of death departs from him, as though his days would never end and his life would never cease. He does not bear in mind his latter end, and occupies himself [solely] with this world, giving no consideration to religious interests, making no provision for his ultimate destination. His confidence that he will live a long time is the cause of his prolonged passion for the affairs of this world and his slight interest in what concerns his latter end. If a preacher admonishes him or a teacher counsels him and says to him, “How long will you neglect to give thought to the provision you should make [for your final journey], and to the concerns of your ultimate destination?” he replies, “Until I have provided for my own livelihood and needs, and those of my family-- my wife and children-- to the end of our days. Then, when I have peace, without worldly concerns, I will be free to fulfill my obligations to the Creator, and will consider making provisions for the appointed day.” ... the advocates of this attitude ... are known as the advocates of “pledge- taking.” In this they are like the businessman who, when selling on credit to someone he does not trust, asks for a pledge at the time of sale, because he fears that his client is unreliable and will be unable to pay him. ... it would be correct on your part to demand and take a pledge from your friend and equal, who has no authority over you and whose command does not obligate you. It would not, however, be correct for a hired worker to insist on receiving from his employer a security for his salary, before he has even started working for him. Certainly a servant should not insist on receiving from his master a security for his maintenance, before beginning to serve him; still less should a creature demand a pledge from his Creator, before beginning to serve Him.” What a thought! For a servant to serve his master on condition that he be paid for his services is considered disgraceful, as they said: “Be not like servants who serve the master on condition of receiving a reward, but be like servants who serve the master not on condition of receiving a reward” (Avos 1:3 ); All the more so if he dared to ask for a pledge to secure his maintenance, before beginning to serve him. Of such conduct Scripture says: “Is this how you repay God, you foolish and unwise people?” (Devarim 32:6).