Would You Give Someone a Drink?

Not everyone can go overseas as a missionary. Not everyone can give up a career to preach. Not everyone is equipped to teach. Christians are not able to serve in the same way.

Some Christians serve in a visible way when we all assemble for worship or Bible study. Others serve in ways that are mostly invisible to fellow Christians.

We are not all created with the same abilities and interests. In fact, our individual abilities change over time. So, what is a Christian to do?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
—Ephesians 2:10

Before the first disciple of Christ was called, God had already planned for his people to do good works. In fact, we are crafted by God for the purpose of good works. Good works are seen as a direct result of having been saved by the grace of God. In addition, the Bible tells us that we formerly walked in “trespasses and sins,” but are now expected to walk in good works. He is moving us from a life of selfishness to a life of selflessness.

So, what is a Christian supposed to do?

Do we really need to ask? Do you remember the man who wanted to justify himself when Jesus taught “Love your neighbor as yourself”? Are we tempted to ‘justify’ ourselves by asking, “And what good works are we to do?”

Jesus made a remarkable statement about discipleship that relates to this question:

"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward."
—Matthew 10:42

To give something in the name of a disciple is, by extension, giving in the name of the disciple’s teacher. Prior to this verse Jesus had explained that “He who receives you [His disciple], receives Me and he who receives Me, receives Him who sent Me [God].”

From time to time my wife and I have reflected on couples we know who have had a profound influence on us. When thinking about these few couples we agree, “We want to be like them.” We see their godly example, their good works, their tireless service, their devotion to God and His word.

There are things we have done to specifically follow ‘their’ example. ‘They’ are our motivation. In short, we have done things “in the name of a disciple” of Jesus. So, even though we may be thinking of our ‘example couples,’ it all goes back to Christ. When we follow their example, we are following Christ because they are following Christ.

Now, back to Matthew 10:42...why give a cup of cold water?

Perhaps it is as simple as this: Someone needs a drink.

May God open our eyes to the needs of people and give us the courage and motivation to fill those needs by engaging in good works. Ultimately, our service is all to His glory.

Mark Stinnett