The Cold Water Principle

Jesus says, "Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." (Mk.9:41) How we treat others who want to partner with us in doing good will determine what kind of environment of faith we help create. Too often we are arrogant when others see our good works and want to bless us in some way. When we turn down their help because they are not "of us" we demonstrate that we do not value their gift, and by extension, do not value them. This is the wrong message to send since the very reason we do good works, especially in carrying the gospel to others, is because we do value them. We do so because God values them. Is it right to do good or evil? God always encourages people, whether they are believers or not, to do good. Even those who are not full-fledged Christ followers have the image of God stamped on their hearts, and this image is often expressed in good works.

When Jesus says the person who blesses a disciple of His with a drink will not lose their reward, what kind of reward is He talking about? Are we to think that if someone hands a disciple of Jesus a cold soda that they get to go to heaven for doing so? Eternal life is not cheap, and is not earned by handing our bottled water, even to Christians. But, God does take note of this gesture of kindness to His people. In Matthew 10 Jesus told His disciples to search for the worthy house, those who receive them and want to help them. Jesus speaks with favor on these people. But, to those who reject the disciples, they also reject the one who sent them, and will suffer the consequences of their rejection. There seems to be a general principle: God blesses those who are a blessing to Him and His children; and God curses those who are a curse to Him and His children. This principle is as old as Abraham. In Genesis 12:3, God says, "And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse." If He did that regarding the physical descendants of Abraham what will be done regarding the spiritual descendants of Abraham?

What damage has been done when we treat those who would try to bless us in some good work and we spurn their gifts and support simply because we believe they are not Christians! We have done that even with brothers and sisters with whom we disagree on matters of interpretation of Scripture. When God's people isolate themselves from all others who do not look exactly like themselves, they project to the world and to others who are seeking Jesus to be arrogant and exclusive and rigid. Rather Jesus teaches us to recognize the good they do, accept their partnership in the good, and make sure they know that our Father sees the good they are doing and will reward them for it. It is not for us to say how He will reward them. His gifts are His own. But, since every good and perfect gift comes from Him, we can be sure He will know the appropriate way to bless them. And, if we allow them into our circle of influence, then we will be given opportunities to model Jesus before them and opportunities to share His word with them. So serve up the cold water. (BTW, the word 'cold" is not in the text. They didn't have a way to make ice back then.)