Coincidence?

I just finished writing a newsletter article for the church about how God doesn’t always ask us to do big things. At times, it is the small things that matter.

 

Even better, those small things can have a ripple effect that multiplies the outcome. If you greet a person working at the grocery store and listen to them, they might end up in a better mood. Then, perhaps, they will do the same thing for ten other people. Small things add up.

 

After I wrote that article, I was reading through Matthew in the Bible. I had never noticed it very clearly, but in Matthew 10:41-42, Jesus says the following:

 

Matthew 10:41-42 (NRSV)
41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

 

As is often the case, I like how The Message translates and interprets this. It says:

 

Matthew 10:41-42 (MSG)

Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

 

The path to discipleship isn’t always the big things … sometimes it’s the little ones. Jesus said that even if you bring a cup of cool water to someone who is doing good, you’re on the right path.

 

I wish I had found that in time for the newsletter article. It goes perfectly with the message: small acts of service, compassion, and mercy add up big time.