Title: “ Serving with Refreshing Grace: The Power of a Cup of Cold Water “
Text: Matthew 10:40-42 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Introduction: At first glance, the act of giving a cup of cold water may seem insignificant compared to the grandeur of other deeds. However, Jesus elevates this simple act to a position of great importance, indicating that even the smallest gesture of kindness toward his followers carries immense significance in the eyes of God.
The context of this passage is crucial for understanding its significance. Jesus is sending out his disciples to proclaim the message of the kingdom of God. He warns them of the challenges and persecution they will face, but also assures them of the rewards awaiting those who receive them hospitably. In this context, the act of giving a cup of cold water takes on deep symbolic and practical meaning.
I. What Are the Purpose of Being a Giving Person?
1. Giving a cup of cold water reflects the virtue of hospitality. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, a cup of cold water was not merely a refreshing drink but a vital necessity, especially for travelers and those engaged in arduous tasks. By offering this basic necessity, individuals demonstrated their willingness to care for the needs of others, embodying the spirit of hospitality that lies at the heart of Christian ethics. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." - Jesus (Matthew 25:40)
2. Giving a cup of cold water represents compassion and empathy towards those in need. "Generosity is not about how much we give, but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Teresa Jesus often emphasized the importance of caring for the marginalized and vulnerable members of society. In this passage, he refers to "these little ones," symbolizing not only children but also any person who is vulnerable, marginalized, or in need of assistance. By extending kindness to such individuals, we emulate the love and compassion of Christ, who always showed concern for the least of these
3. Giving a cup of cold water exemplifies the principle of solidarity with fellow believers. Jesus declares that by welcoming his disciples, people are in fact welcoming him and the Father who sent him. Thus, acts of kindness toward disciples are ultimately acts of devotion to God. This underscores the interconnectedness of the Christian community and the importance of supporting one another in faith. [Giving as a team creates unity and empowers you.]
4. Jesus promises a reward for those who engage in acts of kindness and hospitality. While this reward may not necessarily be material or immediate, it reflects the assurance of God's favor and blessing upon those who faithfully serve others in his name. By acknowledging and rewarding even the smallest acts of service, God affirms the value of every individual and encourages continued acts of love and compassion within the Christian community.
The seemingly simple act of giving a cup of cold water carries deep spiritual significance. It embodies the virtues of hospitality, compassion, solidarity, and devotion to God. By engaging in acts of kindness toward others, especially those who belong to the community of faith, we participate in God's kingdom work and receive the assurance of his blessing. Thus, let us heed Jesus' call to extend hospitality and compassion to all, knowing that even the smallest acts of kindness are precious in the sight of God. [Putting a dollar bill in the basket for a beggar..Matt.25:40
5. The Priority of Hospitality and Kindness: Giving a cup of cold water illustrates the significance of hospitality and kindness. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, offering a drink of water was a basic act of hospitality, especially in the arid climate of the Middle East. This simple gesture shows that even small acts of kindness have great value. By welcoming and caring for others, we reflect the love and compassion of Christ. It reminds us that our actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can make a meaningful difference in someone's life.
6. Our Identification with Christ: Jesus teaches that when we welcome his disciples, we are welcoming him, and by extension, welcoming God the Father who sent him. This emphasizes the profound connection between Christ and his followers. When we show hospitality and kindness to others, particularly fellow believers, we are expressing our devotion to Christ himself. It teaches us that our interactions with others are deeply intertwined with our relationship with God. Every act of kindness becomes an act of worship and service to God.
7. Recognition of Others' Worth: Jesus refers to "these little ones" in the passage, which can represent not only children but also any person who is vulnerable, marginalized, or in need. By highlighting the importance of giving a cup of cold water to "these little ones," Jesus emphasizes the value and worth of every individual, especially those who are often overlooked or disregarded by society. It teaches us to see the dignity and worth of every person and to extend kindness and care to those in need, regardless of their status or background.
II. How Can We Become a Joyous Giver?
When we realize the vastness of our divine resources, when we acknowledge that the eternal richness of heaven is His gift to us, we won’t be miserly with the things we have. On the contrary, we’ll be eager and free to share. In short, we will know the joy of generosity. A generosity rooted in godly contentment also has some priceless benefits.
PS. 50:10” FATHER OWN CATTLE ON 1000 HILLS” Story about Dallas Sem.
First, we hold temporal things loosely- Paul wrote, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either” (1 Timothy 6:7). Since we enter this world carrying nothing, wearing nothing, owning nothing, and since we leave the same way, why on earth would we cling to earthly goods? Generosity rooted in contentment allows us to say with Job, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, / And naked I shall return there” (Job 1:21).
Second, we keep our essential needs to a minimum- As the apostle declared, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:8). If we’re honest, we’ll admit that the genuine needs of life are few: food . . . water . . . clothing . . . a shelter to protect us from the elements. Essentials form a very short list. On the flip side, the “he who dies with the most toys wins” lifestyle never satisfies. When we mix up luxuries with essentials, joy eludes us.
Third, we withstand the appealing allure of greed- Paul warned: But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (6:9-10)
C. Swindoll said, “The glitter of silver and gold lures people to destruction like a backyard bug zapper. The hypnotic force of greed leaves the debris of broken promises and relationships in its wake (6:10). Please understand, money itself is not the problem . . . the problem is our infatuation with it.” ANY AMWAY PEOPLE HERE?
Fourth and finally, we cultivate a truly thankful and joyful lifestyle. What about those who are already rich? Paul addressed them in 1 Timothy 6:17: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
In other words, don’t look down on those who have less . . . and don’t fix your hope on false security. Instead, view your possessions as items on loan from God to you for His glory and for your enjoyment. Yes, our enjoyment. God is not a kill joy-pleasure-squasher but the ever-gracious pleasure-provider. He wants us to realize that an absence of conceit plus the presence of security will equal true, lasting joy.
In summary, giving a cup of cold water teaches us the importance of hospitality, the identification with Christ in serving others, the recognition of others' worth, and the promise of reward for acts of kindness. These lessons encourage us to live lives of compassion, generosity, and service, reflecting the love of Christ to those around us.
Corum Deo: The moral of the story of giving a cup of cold water is that even the smallest acts of kindness and generosity, done with sincerity and love, hold great significance in the eyes of God.
