Doing the little things that have eternal rewards

Matthew 10:42 (NASB)

And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly, I say to you he shall not lose his reward.

What is it about doing something simple to help someone else that makes us so happy doing so?  I believe that the reward that Jesus is talking about is both instant and eternal.  The good feeling we have about ourselves when we do acts of kindness is the instant reward.  The eternal reward, of course, is a treasure in the heavenly storehouse.

The main point that Jesus was making here is perhaps summarized best from the Message translation “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."  Note the simple advice “it’s best to start small”.  The cost and challenges of discipleship can be overwhelming (ever read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship?).  So many well-meaning Christians get easily discouraged and quit after trying to do too much discipleship too soon. 

So don’t necessarily aim to start new ministries, tackle enormous tasks in the church, preach sermons, or go on long missionary journeys if you haven’t first done the little things such as helping with children, serving on a church committee, volunteering to do little “odds and ends” jobs that the church needs.  Keep in mind what Jesus stated that even the smallest of task, done in the spirit to minister to someone else, gives eternal rewards that cannot be taken away.