Pirkei Avos 1:3 says "be not like servants who serve the master on the condition of receiving a reward; rather, be like servants who serve the master without the condition of receiving a reward." This statement may seem like an unreasonably high standard, but it guides us to a better life.
If I say I love someone who makes me feel good, I may be telling the truth, but I'm misusing the term "love." What I really mean is that I love the benefits being provided. Such love might be pleasurable, but not ultimately fulfilling.
Similarly, when I say that I love chocolate, I am misusing the term "love." If I loved chocolate, then I would cherish it in my refrigerator. I certainly would not destroy it for my eating benefit!
So if I truly love a person, then I love that person regardless of the benefit for me. For example, I "loved" Warren Buffett long before I owned shares in his company. It wasn't for my direct benefit that I loved him. It was because of his humility, honesty and integrity.
Yet this example shows the powerful indirect benefits of following this exhortation from Pirkei Avos. By reflecting on Buffett, I imbibe some of those characteristics and experience some of those benefits personally.
So this verse challenges me to identify those "masters" whose merits stand beyond my personal benefit. Then by "serving" them without concentrating on their direct benefits, I can find my best life.
This distinction of "without benefits" may relate to concepts of "intrinsic" and "extrinsic." To observe something intrinsically is to observe something specifically and singularly. The value is inherent. To observe something extrinsically is to observe how it manifests within an environment. The value is practical. The former expresses "love" while the latter expresses "respect" or "use." Neither term is negative, but has different power characteristics.
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