It's interesting what this quote expresses. The devil wants us to consider Christianity as a pursuit of some earthly gain rather than the pursuit of God in Christ Jesus.
"On the other hand we do want, and want very much, to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything - even to social justice. The thing to do is to get a man at first to value social justice as a thing which the Enemy demands, and then work him on to the stage at which he values Christianity because it may produce social justice."
- C.S. Lewis (writing as the demon Screwtape), The Screwtape Letters
Hosea 6:6 comes to mind as a corrective from thinking Christianity is a pursuit of transient gain. God would rather that we know Him well and are loyal to Him than that we sacrifice or strive. The more I come to know the Trinitarian God through the Bible, theology books, sound teachers, experience, and prayer, the more I am convinced that He is beautiful and He is the only thing worth having, in this life or in the life to come.
Of course, if we know God and are loyal to Him, we understand that He cares deeply about social justice, but this (and other issues) must be always secondary in our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ Himself.
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
- Charles Wesley, 1739
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