Let’s say you have 2 sheep sure they are both abused by the Shepherd but the one who wins greater favor from the Shepherd gets to take on the role of the abuser over the sheep that loses the competition.  Being the abuser can be profitable even if you have to suffer through abuse to get there.

Many people who obeyed Samuel Lee are now in the top of the hierarchy because he favored those who obey him.  Sarah Barry has inherited the money and power of Samuel Lee more than those who disobeyed him and were ousted, she was right if I just obey Samuel Lee earthly things will work out in the end but not the spiritual things won’t.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
    give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
    and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
    and to nourish your female servants.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27&version=NIV

3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+34&version=NIV

20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lordhave spoken.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+34&version=NIV