How did Tom change as he "waxed old"?

From the text:

As Tom waxed old, however, he grew thoughtful. Having secured the good things of this world, he began to feel anxious about those of the next. He thought with regret on the bargain he had made with his black friend, and set his wits to work to cheat him out of the conditions. He became, therefore, all of a sudden, a violent church goer.

This notation is important because the reader is thus able to see that his fortune and wealth did not come without great price.