---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To an unbelieving person nothing renders…"
description: "\"“To an unbelieving person nothing renders service or work for good. He himself is in servitude to all things, and all things turned out for evil to him..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg"
---

#  To an unbelieving person nothing renders service or work…

![“To an unbelieving person nothing renders service or work for good. He himself is in servitude to all things, and all things turned out for evil to him, because he uses all things in impious way for his own advantage, and not for the glory of God.” quote by Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg)

> ““To an unbelieving person nothing renders service or work for good. He himself is in servitude to all things, and all things turned out for evil to him, because he uses all things in impious way for his own advantage, and not for the glory of God.””

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Unbelievers misuse service for selfish gain, turning all acts toward evil instead of honoring God.

**In simple terms:** Selfish motives corrupt good deeds.

Key Takeaway

Align actions with divine purpose, not personal advantage.

Themes

morality faith intentionality

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical theological

When to use this quote

- charitable work
- community service
- personal decision making
- leadership

Key Concepts

theology ethical behavior

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you serve others without seeking personal gain?
- What does honoring God look like in everyday tasks?

A Different Perspective

May alienate those with differing beliefs, limiting cooperation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blessings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessings/) [Glory of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory-of-god/) [Servitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servitude/) [Unbelieving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unbelieving/)

## Related quotes

> [“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psalm-19-1-esv/the-heavens-declare-the-glory-of-god-and-the-sky-above-proclaims-his/)

Psalm 19 1 ESV

> [“For the glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God. For”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/for-the-glory-of-god-is-a-living-man-and-the-life-of-man-consists-in/)

The Church Fathers

> [Worship is the way of life for those entranced by and passionate for the glory of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/worship-is-the-way-of-life-for-those-entranced-by-and-passionate-for/)

[Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/)

> [“Life is given for increase and multiplication of the glory of God”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/life-is-given-for-increase-and-multiplication-of-the-glory-of-god/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“This is how God has designed the Scriptures to work for human transformation and for the glory of God: the Scriptures reveal God’s glory.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/this-is-how-god-has-designed-the-scriptures-to-work-for-human/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-a-beers/god-who-said-let-there-be-light-in-the-darkness-has-made-this-light/)

Ronald A. Beers

> [“Susie paints for the glory of God. “It’s the only way I can do it,” she said. “It all comes from him.” She once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-woods-fisher/susie-paints-for-the-glory-of-god-it-s-the-only-way-i-can-do-it-she/)

[Suzanne Woods Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-woods-fisher/)

> [Sometimes in the contrast of the night, we can best see the glory of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/sometimes-in-the-contrast-of-the-night-we-can-best-see-the-glory-of/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [It is very clear that the heavens declare the glory of God. We learn a lot about the glory of God without even Scriptures.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/it-is-very-clear-that-the-heavens-declare-the-glory-of-god-we-learn-a/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [The God who is worthy to be known and served for who He is, is Himself the answer to this world's longings. And those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wells/the-god-who-is-worthy-to-be-known-and-served-for-who-he-is-is-himself/)

[Tom Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wells/)

> [The highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/the-highest-glory-of-the-creature-is-in-being-only-a-vessel-to/)

[Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/)

> [I had the intention of becoming a theologian...but now I see how God is, by my endeavors, also glorified in astronomy, for 'the heavens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-kepler/i-had-the-intention-of-becoming-a-theologian-but-now-i-see-how-god-is/)

[Johannes Kepler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-kepler/)

> [Our lifestyle, language, attitudes, and manner of dress reflect on His name. He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-hutson/our-lifestyle-language-attitudes-and-manner-of-dress-reflect-on-his/)

[Curtis Hutson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-hutson/)

> [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [I'm dead in the water if I can't see the all sufficient glory of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/i-m-dead-in-the-water-if-i-can-t-see-the-all-sufficient-glory-of-god/)

[Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/)

## More by Martin Luther

> [“It was easy for you to say these things, since you either knew you were not writing to Luther, but for the general public,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/it-was-easy-for-you-to-say-these-things-since-you-either-knew-you/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [In a delightful garden, sowing, planting or digging are not hardship but are done with a zeal and a certain pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-a-delightful-garden-sowing-planting-or-digging-are-not-hardship/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [If you could understand a single grain of wheat you would die of wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/if-you-could-understand-a-single-grain-of-wheat-you-would-die-of/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“God made man out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/god-made-man-out-of-nothing-and-as-long-as-we-are-nothing-he-can-make/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“But the truth will win out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/but-the-truth-will-win-out/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [God wants us to pray, and he wants to hear our prayers-not because we are worthy, but because he is merciful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/god-wants-us-to-pray-and-he-wants-to-hear-our-prayers-not-because-we/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Our office...subjects us to great burdens and labors, dangers and temptations, with little reward or gratitude from the world. But Christ himself will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-office-subjects-us-to-great-burdens-and-labors-dangers-and/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“Our faith in Christ does not free us from works but from false opinions concerning works, that is, from the foolish presumption that justification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-faith-in-christ-does-not-free-us-from-works-but-from-false/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [The works of the righteous would be mortal sins if they would not be feared as mortal sins by the righteous themselves out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/the-works-of-the-righteous-would-be-mortal-sins-if-they-would-not-be/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/do-not-suppose-that-abuses-are-eliminated-by-destroying-the-object/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Romans 3:28”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/for-we-maintain-that-a-man-is-justified-by-faith-apart-from-observing/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [There are only two days on my calendar... today and the day of judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/there-are-only-two-days-on-my-calendar-today-and-the-day-of-judgment/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [ Antichrist is the pope and the Turk \[Muslim\] together. A beast full of life must have a body and soul. The spirit or soul… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/antichrist-is-the-pope-and-the-turk-muslim-together-a-beast-full-of/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [It is not the imitation that makes sons; it is sonship that makes imitators.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/it-is-not-the-imitation-that-makes-sons-it-is-sonship-that-makes/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

[Explore all 1,292 Martin Luther quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

## More Blessings quotes

> [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/)

[Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/)

> [God loves to glorify himself by suspending his gifts and blessings on our asking him for them. We should never presume to receive from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-storms/god-loves-to-glorify-himself-by-suspending-his-gifts-and-blessings-on/)

[Sam Storms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-storms/)

> [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/)

[Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/)

> [Life is all about experiences and being able to work with good people is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika-chawla/life-is-all-about-experiences-and-being-able-to-work-with-good-people/)

[Bhumika Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika-chawla/)

> [Today we pray for those who are grieving the loss of their mother, maybe even years after they were separated; those who never knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/today-we-pray-for-those-who-are-grieving-the-loss-of-their-mother/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“When Jesus finished teaching in a synagogue one day, a woman called out from the audience, 'God bless your mother—the womb from which you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-bessey/when-jesus-finished-teaching-in-a-synagogue-one-day-a-woman-called/)

[Sarah Bessey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-bessey/)

> [“I've never felt a pain that didn't bear a blessing. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-knudsen-hoffman/i-ve-never-felt-a-pain-that-didn-t-bear-a-blessing/)

Gene Knudsen Hoffman

> [One of the noblest words in our language is "grace," defined as "unearned blessing." We live by grace far more than by anything else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-elton-trueblood/one-of-the-noblest-words-in-our-language-is-grace-defined-as-unearned/)

[D. Elton Trueblood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-elton-trueblood/)

> [Life is such a very troublesome matter, when all is said and done, that it's as well even to take its blessings quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-braddon/life-is-such-a-very-troublesome-matter-when-all-is-said-and-done-that/)

[Mary Elizabeth Braddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-braddon/)

> [Here today, may be gone tomorrow! Never take anyone or nothing for granted! Be sure to count your blessing daily because tomorrow isn't promised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/surgeo-bell/here-today-may-be-gone-tomorrow-never-take-anyone-or-nothing-for/)

[Surgeo Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/surgeo-bell/)

> [Everyone is blessed in some way or the other. My greatest blessing? My mom! I love you Mom. I just want you to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-is-blessed-in-some-way-or-the-other-my-greatest-blessing-my/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I definitely count my blessings. I feel like I've had such a great ride. Early on, to be able to work with some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-definitely-count-my-blessings-i-feel-like-i-ve-had-such-a-great/)

[Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/)

> [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [I feel that I'm very blessed. But with great blessings come great responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-feel-that-i-m-very-blessed-but-with-great-blessings-come-great/)

[Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/)

> [He had a face like a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/he-had-a-face-like-a-blessing/)

[Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/)

[Browse all 3,464 Blessings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessings/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“To an unbelieving person nothing renders service or work for good. He himself is in servitude to all things, and all things turned out for evil to him, because he uses all things in impious way for his own advantage, and not for the glory of God.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Martin Luther"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders-service-or-work-for-good-he/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Blessings"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders-service-or-work-for-good-he/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/martin-luther-106_blessings_to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders_1697358.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“To an unbelieving person nothing renders service or work for good. He himself is in servitude to all things…” — Martin Luther",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Martin Luther",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“To an unbelieving person nothing renders...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders-service-or-work-for-good-he/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/to-an-unbelieving-person-nothing-renders-service-or-work-for-good-he/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
