Just about every religion but Christianity believes that being "good" and doing "good deeds" will get you into God's graces. I guess it's too hard for them to believe that it is a free gift.
A few months ago, my wife and I had a bunch of bills come due at the same time without the money to cover them all. I was embarrassed to do it, but I had to ask my parents for some money to tide us over, which my mother said she'd give us.
A few minutes later, my father called back. My parents needed some furniture moved and he'd pay my wife and me more than we'd asked for if we moved it for them. It really wasn't that big a deal, but it allowed me the dignity of earning the money.
As with my temporal parents, so with the Heavenly Parent. I would far rather earn my way into His good graces. I would be ashamed to have it handed to me as a gift.