Just a cup of cold water is enough to activate the rewards of God!

Mar 9:41  For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 

Just a cup of cold water is enough to activate the rewards of God! Hospitality doesn’t have to hurt the pocket. One doesn’t need to bring a visiting preacher to an expensive restaurant to show hospitality. A cup of cold water is the simplest act we can do and it’s good enough for God to look on it and reward the Christian who shows this kind gesture.

What is so significance about the cup of cold water?

The cup of water represents only a small portion of the need. To a man who is very thirsty, the cup of cold water makes all the difference; it is even more precious than gold. It represents a timely need. It costs very little to the person who gives it but it means a lot to the person who receives it.

The cup of water represents a small gesture. It may be just a simple hug, a handshake, a hello, a smile, or a thank you: these little gestures cost nothing but to the person who receives it, it shows kindness, love, gratitude, friendliness, and appreciation. To the stranger who is visiting, he feels love and welcome and will return again seeing the Christian spirit demonstrated by the members. To the preachers, bible class teachers, organisers of event, they feel encouraged, appreciated, and are motivated to do more for the Lord. When was the last time you say thank you to the organiser of a church event, your bible class teacher, and your preacher?

Every handshake, hello, thank you, will be remembered by God. Every meal cooked for the sick, every visitation to the sick in hospital, every lesson taught, every fellowship meal prepared, every encouragement shown to a brother, every act of comfort shown to a member who is grieving, God remembers them all and record them down in His book : “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”(Hebrews 6:10).

We must realise that it is the little things that we do that have the greatest impact on another. Just a hug at the funeral home when someone's family member passes on brings a warm heart. Just an encouraging word to a wounded brother brings healing. The good deed does not have to be known by all or appreciated by the multitude; God knows and that’s enough.

God uses small and insignificant deeds and multiplies them and makes them great. A cup of cold water is an act of kindness. And in a world of no refrigeration, the gift of a cup of cool water means going to the well. It means making some bit of effort. And, indeed, some good deeds involve a little bit of sacrifice. It’s your wedding anniversary and you promise your wife a candlelight dinner out. But a church member is suddenly being admitted to the hospital. What do you do? Bring your wife to the hospital and celebrate the anniversary with a kind deed of love towards a sick member and to cheer him up.

It is noteworthy that Jesus made mention that the water was cold. Some may prefer a cup of hot water (or tea). Nonetheless, water at any temperature will satisfy thirst. But the gift of cold water (or hot for some) is a gift with a little extra attached. And it is this "extra” that touches the heart. Would you put in a little bit of “extra” effort to welcome, encourage, comfort, or help another brother?

Just a cup of cold water makes the difference. It is a little kindness; a little act of love; a little show of friendship. But it reaps huge benefits. Our labour for God, however small, has an effect upon us as well as the ones we help.  We grow as we help others. And God will reward kind words and good deeds, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

I would like to end with this beautiful hymn, O The Things We May Do:

Have you lifted a stone from your brother's way

As he struggled along life's road?

Have you lovingly touch some frail, toil-worn hand,

Shared with someone his heavy load?

(Chorus)

Oh, the things we may do,

you and I, you and I;

Oh the love we can give if we try;

Just a word or a song as we’re passing along,

They will count in the great by and by.

Remember, no act of love is so small it escapes God’s attention.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.