A request for a downpayment or a pledge would only be asked of someone who does not have credit and by someone who does not have debt.  " If all the good works of all the people throughout history were to be credited to one individual all these would not suffice to repay the Creator for even one of His favors towards him."  We see that to ask H'shem to provide a promise for our service is ridiculous as we can not repay him for all He has done for us until now.  pg 459 Nefesh Hachaim R. Eliazar says " When performing a Mitzvah it should be for the sake of GD, when learning Torah it should be for its own sake.  Gate Four Chapter 3 pg 139

 If one were to request a specific amount as a pledge he is actually limiting himself.  One has no idea how long he will live, what life will require from him, and how much he would need to secure it.   pg 459 Nefesh Hachaim When one stands before H'shem he will have to give an account of everything he did and did not accomplish in learning.  If he will wait to feel lofty feelings of Kedusha to begin to learn he will miss out on his obligations.  Gate Four Chapter pg 138

 We learn in Avos "Be not like servants who serve the master on condition of receiving a reward, but be like servants who serve the master, not on condition of receiving a reward", how the more so someone who wants a promise or pledge from H'shem.   pg 457 Nefesh Hachaim  One may think that taking one part of Torah, Mishna, and learning it with fervor and fierce dedication is preferable.  Yet we learn that it is not that way and setting out to learn as much as one can is advised.  Gate Four, Chapter 2 pg 137

 One argument you would refute the nonbeliever with would be "Could a hired worker demand a downpayment for his salary before he started to work, or a servent before he began to serve his master all the more so a creature may not demand a pledge from his Creator before he begins to serve Him." pg 457 If the focus in serving H'shem were to be immersed in concentration devotion and singing laments and praise to H'shem one would be commanded to say Tehillim all day.  We learn that Dovid Hamelech asked H'shem to consider one who says Tehillim as though he was immersed in learning the depth of Torah, yet we are not told if H'shem agreed.  This reinforces the idea that learning Torah even without the highest levels of L'Shma and concentration is obligated and desired by H'shem Yisborach. Gate Four Chapter 2 pg 137

 A grave mistake one may make is to treat his relationship with H'shem as one would do in business when asking for a "pledge" or downpayment to secure the deal.  Rabbenu Bachya will now bring a number of strong and detailed examples of how this behavior is outrageous and deplorable  pg 457 Nefesh Hachaim The idea that learning Torah must come with a level of concentration and dedication that is "L'Shma" has distanced many from learning the holy Torah.  H'shem loves every word of Torah that every Jew learns and every moment that one dedicates to studying its holy words.  Gate Four Chapter 1 pg 136/137

 If one would ask he who does not trust in H'shem "When will you finally take action on preparing and worrying about your final destination?"  He would reply "When all my material obligations are secure that is when I will begin to worry about my final end." pg 457/455 Nefesh Hachaim Rav Chaim of Volozhin in his fourth Gate of his Sefer reflects on the lack of Torah study that has plagued his generation due to the need and desire to earn a livelihood.  Another result of this was the "mussar movement" that was geared to educating those on how to serve H'shem and refine their middos.  What happened thought as a result of this cries Rav Chaim is the main focus has become the mussar and not the written and oral law.  Rav Chaim sees this as wrong and one we will be accountable for.  Gate Four Chapter one pg's 135/136

 One who does not trust in H'shem does not concern himself with religious issues.  He fools himself into believing he will live "forever" and puts all his efforts and interest into this world and very little into his ultimate destination.  pg 455 Nefesh Hachaim We learn from our sages and Avos that "good deeds" are preferable to wisdom.  If one persues mitzvot and good deeds, his roots will be strong even if his wisdom is not great, and his wisdom will be elevated.  Prologue to Gate Four Summation pg 132

 One who does not trust in H'shem makes it his mission to secure his future.  He does not worry about his later end, as though he were in control of his final destiny.  pg 455 Nefesh Hachaim One's main concern should be to follow the Rabbi's directives in the way and timing of fulfilling the mitzvot.  The "purity of intent" is praised as a welcome addition and he will be rewarded for his efforts Prologue to gate Four Conclusion pg 132

 One who trusts in H'shem knows he has no control over the future or how long he has on this earth.  This causes him to be in a constant state of repenting and striving to do the best he can to always be prepared for his final days.  pg 455                                                               לעילוי נשמת אבי יצחק בן משה הלוי  Nefesh Hachaim The Yetzer Hara renews his efforts every day to make you feel as though your Torah and mitzvot have no value and you are evil.  Do not let the Yetzer Hara sway you, know that your service of H'shem is the most precious thing in the heavens, and being careful to follow them as H'shem has dictated in his Torah is imperative.  Prolougue to Gate Four Summation pg 131