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 that work is the supreme good, and that they should be thankful for the opportunity to work, instead of exacting payment. And so all men who look upon life as these laborers looked upon it, never can possess true faith. This parable of the laborers, related by Jesus in response to the request by his disciples that he strengthen their faith, shows more clearly than ever the basis of the faith that Jesus taught.

When Jesus told his disciples that they must forgive a brother who trespassed against them not only once, but seventy times seven times, the disciples were overwhelmed at the difficulty of observing this injunction, and said, “Increase our faith,” just as a little while before they had asked, “What shall we receive?” Now they uttered the language of would-be Christians: “We wish to believe, but cannot; strengthen our faith that we may be saved; make us believe” (as the Jews said to Jesus when they demanded miracles); “either by miracles or promises of recompense, make us to have faith in our salvation.”

The disciples said what we all say: “How pleasant it would be if we could live our selfish life, and at the same time believe that it is far better to practise the doctrine of God by living for others.” This disposition of mind is common to us all; it is contrary to the meaning of the doctrine of Jesus, and yet we are astonished at our lack of faith. Jesus disposed of this misapprehension by means of a parable illustrating true faith. Faith cannot come of confidence