Leo Tolstoy Archive


The Teaching of Christ Narrated for Children
Chapter 37


Written: 1908
Source: From RevoltLib.com
Transcription/Markup: Andy Carloff
Online Source: RevoltLib.com; 2021


Leo Tolstoy

And then the disciples said to Jesus: “Your teaching is difficult. Increase in us the belief that we will be well if we live according to your teaching.” Jesus has realized that the students wanted to know about the reward for good life. And he said to them: “Faith is not in the belief in a reward, but faith is in clear understanding of what life is. If you understand clearly that your life is in the spirit of God, then you're not going to wait for the reward. The master will not thank a worker for doing what he was supposed to do. And the worker, if he understands that he is a worker, doesn’t get offended at that, but works and knows that he will get what he deserves. So as you, fulfill the Father's will, and understand that you are workers, and if you have done what was expected of you, then do not expect a reward but be satisfied with what you receive. You should not worry about receiving a reward, but care not to destroy the life which is given to you, carry out the will of the Father. And therefore, always be ready, as servants when they are waiting for the master. Servants do not know when the master will return, early or late, and should always be ready. It's the same with life. Always, every minute you must carry out the will of the Father, without telling yourself: ‘I’ll do something then or there‘. So, always live in spirit in the present. There is no time for the life of the spirit. Watch after yourself, don’t burden yourself or fog your brain by drunkenness and carnal cares, but make sure that the spirit of God always rules over your body. (Luke 17, 5-10; 12, 36-40; 21, 34)

Questions:
1) What did the disciples ask for?
2) What did Jesus say about faith?
3) What parable did he tell about that?
4) How and why should you live in the present?