September 16

Reward Is Certain

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward. — Matt 10:42 BSB

I can do as much as this—I can perform a kind act toward one of the Lord’s servants. The Lord knows I love them all and would count it an honor to serve them, even in the simplest ways, like washing their feet. For the sake of their Master, I love His disciples.

How gracious the Lord is to notice something as small as “giving a cup of cold water.” Even someone as poor as I am can do that! It’s something I can do, no matter how humble my position, and I will do it gladly. The Lord pays attention to even the smallest act done for the least of His followers. It’s clear that He isn’t focused on the cost, the skill, or the amount, but on the heart behind the action. Whatever we do for a disciple because they belong to Jesus, He sees and rewards. He doesn’t reward based on the merit of what we do but according to the riches of His grace.

I give a cup of cold water, and He lets me drink from the well of living water. I give to one of His little ones, and He treats me as one of them. Jesus finds an excuse for His generosity in the very acts of grace He inspires, and He says, “You will certainly not lose your reward.”