Little Deeds of Love

For I tell you the truth, whoever gives you a cup of water because you bear Christ’s name will never lose his reward. — Mark 9:41 NET

IT seems wonderful indeed that God should keep note of such a little thing as the giving of a cup of water to a thirsty Christian. It shows how dear to Him are His people, since the smallest things done to one of them He accepts, remembers, and rewards. The mention here of the giving of a cup of water suggests that this promise is for little, commonplace acts, rather than for great deeds. We are too niggardly with our helpfulness. God has put His gifts of love into our hearts, not to be kept locked up and useless, but to be given out. We would call a man selfish who should refuse a cup of water to one who was thirsty; yet many of us do this continually. It is the heart that thirsts, and the water we refuse to give is human kindness.

“Tis a little thing
To give a cup of water, yet its draught
Of cool refreshment drained by fevered lips
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame
More exquisite than when nectarean juice
Renews the life of joy in happiest hours.
It is a little thing to speak a phrase
Of common comfort, which by daily use
Has almost lost its sense, yet on the ear
Of him who thought to die unmourned
’twill fall like choicest music.”

Kindness is just the word for these small acts. Kindness is love flowing out in little gentlenesses. We ought to carry our lives so that they will be perpetual benedictions wherever we go. All we need for such a ministry is a heart full of love for Christ; for if we truly love Christ we shall also love our fellow-men, and love will always find ways of helping. A heart filled with gentleness cannot be miserly of its benedictions.