Job 35:6-8 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? Or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thine hand? Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
Martin Luther once said, “God does not need your service, but men do.” We serve God by serving people. “Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my brethren ye have done it to me.” God is self-existent and does not need the help, service, or good works of anyone to live well. But humans do need our service.
Elihu says that if we sin it doesn’t diminish God and if we do right it doesn’t increase Him. Our sins may hurt humans and our good works may benefit others. We respond to the needs of others because we love God. We love Him because He first loved us. Life works like this: God’s incredible love for me causes me to love Him; my love for God causes me to love people. Then life is good, and human relationships run smoothly. God gave the Ten Commandments for our blessing and benefit. God is pleased when we live righteously; He is pleased because He loves all people and wants to love them through us.
God forgives our sin and produces in us love and kindness toward others. We respond to His love and forgiveness by loving and forgiving other people.