Loser!

When I was in college, I helped a college friend in his youth ministry. He created a t-shirt for the youth, it had "LOSER" written across the front of it. Of course, "loser" wouldn't be a label that most people would want to be labeled with. The idea of the shirt comes from Matthew 16 verse 25, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for me will find it." I was reminded of that verse recently as I was watching a t.v. program featuring a preacher from Australia. This man preached a sermon backing up this thought, "No mature Christian who is seasoned in the Word has any defend-able excuse for living their life offended." His point? If you are dying to self, if you are losing your life for Christ, if you are carrying your cross, than life looks differently and you can't be offended.

After I got done being offended, okay maybe not offended, but rather, convicted, I had a "ah-ha" moment. How many times have I let myself be offended? Instead of losing myself for Christ, I was losing myself for myself.

I also got to thinking how sometimes we American Christians become offended by the offering. Maybe you have been. "How dare someone tells me that I need to give money." "They are asking for money again?" Or "you need to give above and beyond." Let's not get into the whys and why-nots, but let's take a look at 2 Corinthians 8:2. Paul is telling the Corinthian church about how the Macedonian churches gave. He says, "Out of the most severe trial, their overwhelming joy and extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." No matter what trial you are going through, do not let the offering offend you, rather as the Macedonian churches did, I pray that with the joy of the Lord, you will see how you can be generous.

Giving a Cold Cup of Water

In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus sends out the 12 apostles and gives them authority over evil spirits, sickness and to preach the message. He gives them instructions for the mission, for instance in verse 9 he says, “Do not take any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.” In verses 17-39, Jesus also warns of conflict, persecution, and the cost of discipleship.

At the end of this chapter, we see verse 42, “And if anyone gives, even a cold cup of water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly get his reward.”

First, I want to mention that the term “little ones” refers not to children, but to the disciples, as they share the vulnerability and the lowly status of children. Second, I want to mention that to “give a cold cup of water” is basic eastern hospitality and needs no rewards, but as God always does, He shows us that His grace goes beyond our deserving. So with a different understanding of this verse, let's read it again. “And if anyone gives, even a cold cup of water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

I want to focus on the “giving even a cold cup of water” and apply it to our giving. As you give offering, we know that God wants us to tithe our firstfruits and to give cheerfully as it instructs in Scripture, but consider also how you can give even a cold cup of water. Can you give of your service? Can you give of your time? Can you give of your hospitality to those who work so hard for the Kingdom’s work? Americans are good at using money as a band-aid to solve problems. How many times have we thought that winning the lottery will solve our financial problems? Or if someone is need of some help, we give them some money instead of staying and helping. Money is needed to run daily operations, but as you consider giving, don’t just consider the amount of money you should give, but how can you give of yourself? What ministries in the church need your “cup of cold water”?