So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke 17:3-5
On January 18, 2026, Gabe came to speak at MLCF to present LifeSpring’s 2026 Purpose – Increase Our Faith. At first, he was talking about MLCF being the most profitable LifeSpring ministry because of its 100% volunteer rate, low expenses and “rich” tithing retirees; but then at the end of the sermon he prophetically proclaimed MLCF to be Profitable and Productive.
Sitting there at the front, I felt like the disciples in Luke 17, “Lord, help Increase our Faith!” It was overwhelming and bewildering; what does Increase Our Faith mean for MLCF? What does it mean Spiritually? As I wrestled with the Lord, He showed me what Profitable and Productive can look like in a recent photo that was taken in Singapore.
It’s a photo of five generations – from a gathering of my wife’s, Angela’s, side of the family. My great-grandniece, Harper, was the youngest in the photo and Angela’s sixth Aunt and Uncle (Great Great Grand Uncle and Auntie) were the oldest. What’s so amazing is that almost everyone in that photo are Christians.
Fifty years ago, the only ones who were Christians in that photo were Angela and I. Fifty years ago, Maisie – my sister-in-law – was the only Christian in the household (clan). But Masie prayed. Today the Great Great Grand Uncle and Auntie are serving the Lord in the Church of Singapore. This is a picture of what being Profitable and Productive can look like.
Profitable Faith – The Parable of the Bags of Gold – Matthew 25:14-30 – Stewardship
In a spiritual sense, “profitability” isn’t about selfish gain; it’s about stewardship. In the Parable of the Talents, the master was looking for a “profit”–a return on what he had entrusted to his servants. Think of faith as a currency; in the Kingdom, faith is the currency that buys into God’s possibilities. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
As you read this parable in Matthew 25:14-30, the profitable servants know the Master and are faithful in what they are given. Profitability in God’s kingdom is found when his gifts are used for HIS Kingdom.
Productive Faith – Luke 17:6 – Action
For a life to be truly productive for the Kingdom, faith must move from being a static belief into being a dynamic force. When the disciples asked for more faith, Jesus pivoted the conversation. He didn’t talk about volume, He talked about potency.
If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
Luke 17:6
The Mustard Seed Principle: Faith is productive not because of its size, but because of its nature. A mustard seed is tiny, but it is alive. Productivity requires action; dead faith is a wish, productive faith is a seed planted. To increase your faith, you don’t need to wait for a feeling; you need to start moving with what you already have.
Faith without works is dead.
James 2:20b
The Obstacle: The mulberry tree represents deep-rooted issues–bitterness, habit, or
lack. Productive faith doesn’t just “cope” with the tree; it uproots it. Everyone will have their own perspective in respect to their own life journey. Think, meditate and pray about it as it applies in your lives. Most importantly, everyone should ask the Lord about it – and listen well and obey quickly. Being connected to the vine is of the utmost importance.
Be Profitable and Productive; “A little faith that acts is more profitable than a great faith that sits still.”