For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:41)

It’s The Little Things In Life

So many things can be done to show the glory of God, and most of those things are never noticed or known. The big things in life seldom make as many changes as possible than the insignificant acts of kindness, goodness, and benevolence. The idea that to be helpful requires great fanfare belies the reality of how much more good is done under the radar with no one noticing. A cup of water is not much. It is less than a gallon and not even a quart. A cup of water seems so small, yet the Lord sees it as something greater. There is a heart that willingly brings water to someone in need.

Albert Barnes noted, “The feeblest service will be accepted, and acts of love that may be forgotten by man, will be remembered by Him, and rewarded in heaven.” The world seldom takes note of the small things. They go unnoticed and unrecognized because they are not done for the glory of men. Some live their lives seeking to leave their mark on history. Others quietly concern themselves with those who are thirsty, hungry, naked, destitute, and disheartened. A cup of water takes a servant’s heart with a utensil to carry a small amount of water. For the person receiving the water, it is a fountain overflowing.

Jesus reminds the proud of the work of the humble. Taking a cup of water to someone in need is the servant’s heart, showing the glory of God. There are many things to do in the family of God. Some are preachers, shepherds, song leaders, devotional leaders, and Bible class teachers. These are essential parts of the church’s work, but the church needs the cupbearers the most. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to a king, but he challenged a distraught and disheartened people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His small contribution led to great things.

The servant’s heart in the kingdom is found in sending a card with a handwritten note. With social media so prevalent with texting, emails, and electronic communication, the human factor of a cup of water is lost. Receiving a short handwritten note inspires the heart. A voice on the phone can cheer a person’s heart, which needs cheering. The great tragedy of the American landscape is the absence of front porches where people used to spend endless hours visiting and talking. It isn’t easy to visit with many folks without an appointment. The house must be spotlessly clean before anyone can stop in. Stopping by with a cup of water is a lost art.

Jesus wants His disciples to be cupbearers looking for small things to do that bring great rewards. The church needs to return to the roots of its heritage, where brethren shared their cups of water with one another and their neighbors. There is no such thing as retiring in the vineyard of the Lord. Everyone has work to do. For most of us, the most we can do is a cup of water, but how blessed is that cup when needed. Look for opportunities to offer a glimmer of hope to someone. Dust off those water cups and put them to use again. Learn how to share the love of God. You belong to Christ. Give a cup of water.