When looking for a job, it is normal to want to know what your renumeration will be before accepting it. You want to be rewarded for your efforts. But should the same apply to the performance of the Miswoth (Mitzvot - precepts)?
We must learn a lesson from fruit trees. They give their fruit, year in year out, even though they receive absolutely no reward for doing so. Humans beings, are required to add bundles upon bundles of new Miswoth every year. We should really do this, like the trees, with no desire to receive a reward in return. If the trees can do it, surely we can too.
But, as we know, Haqqadosh Barukh Hu rewards us for each and every Miswah (precept) that we do, be it in this world or the hereafter. We should be very appreciative of this extra mercy He does for us and do each Miswah with a happy heart, knowing that this is an extra kindness that we should not, ordinarily, expect to receive.
(See Shebet Mussar, 9: 11)
