DEUT315 Service of God and secular affairs. The difference between the service of the Creator and secular activities in regard to trust in God, may He be exalted, is as follows. In secular affairs it has not been revealed to us which means are better or worse than other means, or which are harmful or not harmful; for we do not know which profession is best for us and more worthwhile for securing a livelihood, [preserving] health, and for general well-being, nor do we know which business venture, journey, or other worldly pursuit will succeed when we try them. It therefore follows that, both in making a choice and implementing it, we must trust in God that He will help us attain what is for our good. We must apply ourselves diligently to our work and beseech Him to stir our hearts to choose what is good and proper for us. But the service of the Creator is different, for He has already informed us of the right course to take, commanded us to choose it, and given us the ability to do so. If, then, we pray to Him in respect to the choice we should make and trust in Him to show us what is good for us, we will err in our words [of supplication] and be foolish in our trust, since He has already made known to us the ways of His service that will benefit us in this world and the next, as it says: “God commanded us to observe all these statutes, to revere Hashem our God, for our own good always” (Devarim 6:24); And in regard to reward in the World-to-Come it says: “It will be to our credit if we are careful to observe” (ibid. 6:25). Also, in secular matters, commendable means may become reprehensible, and those that are reprehensible may become commendable. This is not so, however, with service of God or transgression of His commands. In these, that which is reprehensible or commendable remain so and never changes.