J.R. Miller, Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ, 1890

I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward! Mark 9:41

It seems indeed astonishing 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 His people are 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 showy deeds. We are too stingy 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 would refuse a cup of water to one who was thirsty; yet many of us do this continually. It is the heart which ‘thirsts’ and the ‘water’ we refuse to give, is human kindness.

Kindness is just the word for these small acts. Kindness is simply love flowing out in little gentlenesses. We ought to live our lives so that they will be perpetual blessings wherever we go. All that 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 blessings.