A Parable regarding Faith & Attitude

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you."

—Luke 17:5-6

'Attitude is Everything'

Perhaps you've heard the saying, 'Attitude is Everything.' It points to the importance of attitude in life. From the simple illustration of the glass 'half empty' or 'half full,' depending whether you're a pessimist or an optimist, to how we handle pain, suffering and loss, attitude is crucial. We can see ourselves as victims and despair of life and its struggles and even become resentful, or we can see every situation as an opportunity to observe, learn and grow. Attitude makes all the difference. We can become bitter or better; we choose. Life is both what happens to you and how you respond to it. Stephen Covey covers this important issue in the first of seven habits of highly effective people. Attitude is important. Consider this.

Faith & Humility

Jesus told a short and striking parable about a servant who, after plowing or tending sheep, returns to his master's house in the evening. Would he be invited to eat and drink at the master's table, or is he expected to first serve his master and then eat after finishing all his duties? Would the master thank him for what is part of the work he gets paid for? (See Luke 17:7-9). This is a parable regarding an attitude of humility in service to God, and it is directly related to faith. Jesus gave it as a response to the disciple's request to have their faith increased. But even a 'small faith' can cause great things if the attitude is right.

From a modern, Western viewpoint this could be misunderstood. Talk of 'master and servant' seems degrading in a world where 'equality' is the highest ideal. But before one misunderstands what the Bible teaches, proper understanding is vital. If you put the parable in a context of a healthy employee/employer relationship, it makes sense to the modern reader: a worker gets paid to do a job according to the job description. The point is, when people do what they are employed and paid to do, doing that job is what is expected of the employee. It's only right for the employee to do it. Praise for it would be a bonus. Today, employees are often entitled and think only of their privileges, but not always of their responsibilities. Some need constant praise and affirmation even for the smallest of jobs they do. Employers have to tip-toe around not offending employees in any way. This can lead to unhealthy and unproductive workplace situations.

In some parts of the world, on the other hand, work opportunities are rare and people are grateful to get work in order to put food on the table and provide for themselves and their families. In other parts of the world workers, including children, are being exploited and even abused at work. Such situations are unacceptable. Workers should not be exploited, but neither should employees. The parable of Jesus is set in a context of a healthy work-relationship, with an emphasis on humility in our attitude. It illustrates our attitude towards God in service to Him.

The conclusion of Jesus was as follows:

So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'

—Luke 17:10

This is not degrading; it simply affirms the reality that doing what one is commanded to do, is nothing special. We can't expect special treatment or privileges for it. It is important to treat our employees with dignity and fairness, yet as employees we are not to have an inflated ego and lose a healthy sense of humility in our work. The same is true when we serve God. We should remain humble and not expect extra benefits and unreasonable bonuses for doing our jobs, and then become resentful when the employer doesn't meet our expectations. Paul, despite his high-quality education and competence as a teacher, gave all credit to God for all his accomplishments (1 Corinthians 3:5-7; 15:9-10). A steward, who was entrusted with a task, must carry it out faithfully (4:1-2). Paul was humble in his service unto God. He sought to please God, not men (Galatians 1:10). He did not expect God to constantly reward him for what he was called to do.

Given the context of Jesus' parable, faith requires humility in service to God. The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). He assured them of the power of faith (v 6), yet faith requires humility in service (vv 7-10). An attitude of humility is indispensable if we want to have faith and exercise it to change our circumstances.

The power of humility is such that we first look to change ourselves (introspection) before changing our circumstances (external situations). Many people only want God to change their circumstances, but they themselves never want to change or make changes that contribute to a change in their circumstances. God becomes their servant; they are the master. Such would be reversed roles. It should be the other way round. We are the servants; God is the Master. Some people come to God only to get things; but we should have an attitude to serve. This is a healthy attitude. As children of God we have the personality of sons and daughters of God (dignity), but we must keep an attitude of a servant (humility). As human beings we are loved by God; we have infinte value and don't need to impress God with our deeds or try to gain 'brownie points' by our works. We are saved by grace through faith; salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9; cf., 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Titus 3:5-6). We should be secure in His love and not feel the need to serve God in order to prove ourselves, impress others or just do it for rewards (see P11). Nor should we base our identity on our performance: if we fall short, we feel like a failure; if we succeed, we might get proud. We should serve God with humility, secure in His love and with pure motives. And an attitude of humility keeps us from the pitfall of pride, which leads to the fall, as the famous proverbs go (see Proverbs 16:18; 18:12). Humility in life as well as prayer is important (Luke 14:7-11; 18:9-14; see P9). Even Jesus came to serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45). His followers are not to be overlords and abusive (vv 42-43), seeking positions of privilege and power for themselves (vv 35-42), but serve others in meekness (v 44) as Christ did (v 45), and follow His example of humility in service unto others (1 Peter 5:1-5).

If you want your faith to increase and work, humility and service are indispensable. Faith is an empowerment for service, not a tool to get what we want. If we want our faith to work and increase, we should focus on humility and service with a pure heart. Purity of heart and attitude of humility is the 'soil' in which the 'seed' of faith can flourish. Perhaps the issue is not to have faith increased, as the disciples thought and wished, but rather to focus on the power of faith, as small as it might appear ('seed') and give our lives in service to others.

And there is yet another important issue in context here.

Faith & Forgiveness

Jesus admonished His disciples to be on their guard (Luke 17:3). In other words, watch your attitude and the actions that come from it. We are not to be a stumbling block to others, especially to the innocent ones (vv 1-2). This is illustrated in a dramatic manner. It is serious. We must check our attitude at all times and be on our guard (watchful) not to allow anything to negatively affect us that might cause others to stumble. Paul taught this (Romans 14:10-20) and set the example in his conduct (1 Corinthians 10:32-33).

The key is forgiveness: when others do you wrong, forgive; when you do wrong, repent. It is important to speak freely to others when they do you wrong (Luke 17:3-4), but it must be done with humility and forgiveness. We are to win others, restore relationships, even when we were wronged (Matthew 18:15-20). We, too, sin and need forgiveness; we therefore must forgive others, as we have been forgiven. In Luke 17, Jesus talks of forgiving 'seven times' in a day. Elsewhere He spoke of 'seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:21-22; see P10). We have pointed out how forgiveness must become a lifestyle and be part of our attitude towards others. This is crucial. A bitter heart corrupts a person and is not healthy 'soil' for the 'seed' of faith to grow.

Here, as elsewhere, it is clear that the person we forgive is the one who apologises (Luke 17:3-4). This makes the restoration of a broken relationship possible: the wrong-doer repents, the wronged person forgives. We are not called to be a 'walk-over' and get exploited, yet neither does our attitude of forgiveness depends on others realising their mistakes and apologising to us: we forgive because we were forgiven (cf., Ephesians 4:32). We forgive because we want a pure heart, free of resentment. Bitterness is like weed chocking a plant. Faith and forgiveness go together: we cannot have faith and be resentful, bitter and angry at the same time. Neither can we be proud and arrogant and excersie faith. Jesus is serious about an attitude of forgiveness and humility when it comes to faith. He was humble and meek of heart, and showed us the way to find true rest and peace (Matthew 11:28-30). A life of humility and forgiveness is beautiful.

Do you want your faith to 'increase'? Pursue an attitude of forgiveness and humility. The 'mulberry tree' (i.e., circumstances, obstacles, problems) would obey us, Jesus said (Luke 17:6); the question is, do we obey God? It is not realistic to expect circumstances to 'obey' us as we pray by faith when we live a life of disobedience towards God. We are to forgive others and live in peace; and we are to be servants in humility. The 'seed' of faith can cause great miracles; make sure it can flourish in and through you.

Faith & Attitude

Among the first things Jesus taught was humility. Not only were people to repent and embrace the kingdom of God with humility (Matthew 4:17), any exercise of faith was to be done as unto God in secret: when you give to the poor, pray or fast, don't blow a trumpet for all to see and hear (see Matthew 6:1-18). In modern terms, don't take a selfie with your left hand when your right hand donates money to someone in need. We are to do what we do with genuine motives before God, not in order to be seen by men. Only the 'pure in heart' are blessed to see God (Matthew 5:8). Therefore, guard your heart, for from it flow all issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

The servant can't be entitled when he does what is expect of him or her. True service is done in humility and purity of motive; it's not driven by reward or 'what is in it for me.' Love is selfless. A child who cares for a sick parent is doing an honourable duty. Doctors and nurses care for the sick as is their job. A menchanic fixes your car and you pay him. A builder builds your house and gets appropriate pay. Of course, those of us who are at the receiving end of their services should be grateful. Of course, emploers should appreciate their employees and occasional perks are in order. Of course, good work should be rewarded. Yet Jesus emphasises humility in our service lest we become resentful or entitled if we don't get the recognition or praise we expect from others. False expectations lead to distorted realities. He doesn't want us to get an inflated ego for what we do for others, but simply serve in humility with pure motives. Service to others makes us selfless; seeking privilege and power makes us self-centred and self-serving, and ultimately selfish.

Being a 'praise junkie' is dangerous; it's an unhealthy attitude: unless people praise you constantly and for everything, you get depressed or resentful, because the 'fuel' that drives your 'engine' is the praise of others. Your dopamine and serotonin levels depend on it. It is recommendable to serve God with pure motives without being dependent on external recognition or praise. Do the right thing because it's right. God will reward, but you can leave the 'when' and 'how' to Him. If no one sees you doing a good work, don't worry; God sees it. Find your contentment by knowing you are living for God and are serving Him as you serve others around you. You are not an 'unprofitable servant' in the sense that you and your work are no good. Jesus is not degrading people. Yet in view of human imperfection and God's standard of perfection, we all fall short. In that sense we should remain humble, knowing no matter what we do, it should never lead to a false sense of self-importance. The attitude of an 'unprofitable servant' keeps us sane, humble and free of the corruption of pride. Jesus is teaching us not to get an inflated ego and serve for the wrong reasons. Some people 'serve God' for fame and money; others seek 'clicks and likes' on social media. But the true servants of God serve God because it is a privilege to do so. True love is expressed in service with an attitude of humility.

Conclusion

Attitude is crucial when it comes to faith. Do you want your faith to 'increase'? Pursue an attitude of forgiveness and humility in service to God with pure motives. People with the wrong attitude want to 'sit at the Master's table' immediately; they want all the privileges, often without service and sacrifice. Jesus is calling us to humility and service with a heart of forgiveness—perhaps we don't need our faith to 'increase,' but simply see it flourish as we serve others with the right attitude as Jesus did. Perhaps we don't need 'more faith,' but more humility.

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