Living Large

Matthew 10:42 “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."

Is it really that simple? Does doing the smallest act of kindness bring such great rewards? If we are to live the Jesus Walk, then passages such as these must have an impact upon what we do. However, this passage is not simple when you think about it. How many of us actually do simple acts of kindness? Most of us are looking for something grander, something that makes a bigger kingdom impact. Not a bad thing to do by our world’s standards, but if we miss this call to simple things we might get lost in the magnitude of bigger is better.

I think what Jesus is teaching here is that even the simplest things given in His name become large. Living large requires that we understand that small is good as well, that forgetting the small acts of kindness because we are too busy or we don’t want to get our hands dirty does matter. The Christian life we live requires that we practice even the smallest things, and here is the promise--when we do these small things…God sees.

Isn’t it just like Jesus to turn things upside down? While we think doing great things make the difference, He is inviting us to do the small things. While we think great tasks bring great reward, He is calling us to do the menial task so that our reward will be preserved. Often the tedious, boring, less than glamorous everyday task of ministry are the very tasks that in the long term create greater results.

Living large is not about doing the big stuff. Living large is doing the right stuff for the right reason. It is living in such a way that even the smallest act of kindness done for the right reason brings about the godly character we are called to live. Living large requires that we step aside, so that God’s purpose in every act we do is fulfilled. That’s the problem for most of us. We forget that this is not about us, but about God.

So here is the challenge. Every morning for a week ask yourself what small act of kindness can you do today that no one will notice except God? What simple task can I perform with great diligence so that only God can receive the reward if that task makes a difference? It’s harder than you think, my friends.

Blessings, Rip