August 23

Little Deeds of Love

Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward. — Mark 9:41 BSB

It’s amazing that God takes note of something as small as giving a cup of water to a thirsty believer. This shows how dear His people are to Him—so much so that He remembers and rewards even the smallest kindness done to one of them. The mention of a cup of water here suggests that the promise applies to small, everyday acts of kindness, not just grand gestures. Too often, we withhold these simple acts of help and love. God fills our hearts with His gifts of love, not for us to keep locked up, but to give out freely. We would call a person selfish who refused to offer a cup of water to someone thirsty, yet many of us do this constantly. It’s not physical thirst we neglect to quench but the thirst of hearts yearning for kindness.

“It’s 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
It will fall like choicest music.”

Kindness is the right word for these small acts. Kindness is love flowing out in little ways of gentleness. We should live our lives as perpetual blessings to others, always looking for ways to help. All we need for this ministry is a heart filled with love for Christ, for if we truly love Him, we will also love others, and love will find ways to express itself. A heart filled with gentleness cannot help but pour out blessings.