"V'amarta be'lvavecha kochi ve'otzem yadi asah li es hachayil hazeh. Ve'zacharta es Hashem Elokecha ki hoo hanosen lecha koach laasos chayil."Deuteronomy 8:17, 18"And you may come to say in your heart that your strength and your might made you as great as you are, but remember that Hashem, your G-d, gave you your strength and greatness."
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The author of the book Divrei Shaul, pg. 123, wrote a chidush on the Mishna
in Pirkei Avos, "Do not be like the slaves who serve their masters to receive
a reward, but instead be as slaves who serve their masters for free." He brings a parable to expound his point: A worker labored for his rich boss and his boss was prepared to pay him his wages. This worker was clever however and told his boss that he did his work out of the goodness of his heart because all men should help their fellow Jew according to their ability, whether it is through physical effort or monetary ability. This worker reasoned that if he asked to be paid wages for his work, these wages would reflect only the small amount of work that he performed. If he were to work willingly and (hopefully) receive wages based upon the ability to pay and benevolence of his boss, he expected a greater sum. When we do one of Hashem's commandments, seen by itself, it is but a small fraction of the work we are charged to perform for Him. Thus if we were "paid" by Hashem based upon our output alone, our "wages" would be pitifully small. We should therefore motivate ourselves to perform His commandments as one who is not seeking wages, but as one who is stirred out of kindness and benevolence. Then we may possibly merit receiving, measure for measure, reward based upon the benevolence and generosity of the Almighty, Blessed be He. King David requested that Hashem "teach him to do His will so a good spirit should rest upon him." David requested that in exchange for him doing the will of Hashem, the Almighty's grace and spirit should rest upon him. Payment according to the generosity of Hashem rather than the labor of David.
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