“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41
No matter what you give, when you give, you lose.
If you give up your time, you have lost precious moments.
If you give up your money, you have lost valuable treasure.
If you give up your possessions, you have lost what was once yours.
If you give up your life, you have lost it all.
Well known missionary-martyr Jim Elliot penned the following words in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
In his life, Jim was passionate about reaching the Aucas in Ecuador for Christ. He also desired that more Christians would surrender to serve as missionaries to foreign countries.
Within two years of his death at the hands of the Auca Indians, his wife Elisabeth and their daughter were back on the mission field living in an Auca village. Many Aucas have received Christ as a result of Jim’s efforts and there are still missionaries serving the Aucas today. His death and his willingness to give up his life has actually inspired more Christians to go to more countries.
When you give, you do lose something, something you cannot keep in order to gain that which you cannot lose.
Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated “shall give” in Mark 9:41, our verse for today.
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41