228. Concluding Sefer HaMada

Teshuvah 10:5

A person who occupies himself with Torah in order to earn a reward or to avoid punishment is not considered to be doing so for God's sake. One who occupies himself with Torah not out of fear or in hopes of a reward, but because he loves God, Who commanded it, is one who is doing so for God's sake. Nevertheless, the Sages said that one should always occupy himself with Torah even when it’s not for God's sake. This is because service that is not for God's sake will lead to service that is for God's sake. This is why most common people should be taught to serve God from fear, in order to receive a reward. As their knowledge grows and their wisdom increases, they will ultimately come to serve God from love.

Teshuvah 10:6

It is well-established that love of God will not become fixed in a person's heart until he thinks about it constantly, to the exclusion of mundane matters. This is implied by Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love Hashem, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” A person can only come to love God through knowledge of Him; one's love depends on his knowledge. A little knowledge leads to a smaller love. More knowledge leads to a greater love. Therefore, a person should seclude himself in order to acquire wisdom and knowledge of God to the degree that humans are able.

This concludes the first book of Mishneh Torah, Sefer HaMada (the Book of Knowledge).