The Reward for Giving Out Cups of Water

The gospel lesson for this week in the Revised Common Lectionary contains an interesting saying of Jesus: whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these "little ones" in the name of a disciple will not lose their reward.

This text provides a good opportunity to speak about what are called "Works of Mercy" in the Wesleyan tradition. Engaging in good works for others, whether giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty or providing someone who is cold with a blanket, is central to what it means to be a disciple of Christ. It is also, unfortunately, a part of discipleship that American Christians have been historically uncomfortable about. It is not that American Christians don't engage in acts of mercy. Despite this, engaging in acts of mercy is not perceived as being central to discipleship the way that prayer, bible study, and worship are central. Sometimes works of mercy are engaged in in a way that is grudging.

The problem, I believe, lies in the lack of a solid theological understanding of why we are called to engage in acts of mercy. This raises the more general question about the very nature of discipleship itself. For much of American Christianity, discipleship is virtually equated with what is called in Wesleyan terms the moment of justification; the act of accepting the salvation that is offered to us in Christ and making the decision to profess our faith in Christ, and with a system of reward and punishment (i.e. the reason to accept Christ is the reward in the hereafter, and to avoid punishment in the hereafter). For Methodists, the moment of justification is the most important act in the life of the disciple. However, it is also the first--in educational terms, it is admission to Kindergarten. For many American Christians, it is perceived as our graduation from college and the end of the process.

Justification is the initiation into the Body of Christ, the Church. The life of the disciple and the context of discipleship is lived out in the next phase, which is referred to as sanctification--the process of growing into the example and likeness of Christ. We grow into the likeness of Christ through living according to the example of Christ. Wesley referred to the acts of the disciple in imitating Christ as works of mercy and works of piety. We engage in works of mercy because by doing so, we grow into the likeness and example of Christ. It is, literally, the life that we are called to live.

The reward of giving a cup of water is the act of giving a cup of water. The reward of living according to the example of Christ is fact that we live according to the example of Christ. The reward of a life of holiness is a life of holiness. Once we have accepted the salvation that is offered to us in Christ, we see ourselves as God's children, both now, and in the life that lies waiting for us beyond this one. In this life, and beyond, holiness is its own reward. And similarly, to paraphrase Augustine, not giving out cups of water is the punishment for not giving out cups of water. Not living a life of holiness is the punishment for not living a life of holiness.