Offer hospitality to one another . . . use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:9–10
“Kumain ka na ba?” (Have you eaten?)
This is what you’ll always hear as a visitor in many homes in the Philippines, where I’m from. It’s the Filipino way of expressing care and kindness for our guests. And regardless of your reply, your host will always prepare something for you to eat. Filipinos believe that true kindness isn’t just saying the standard greeting but also going beyond words to show real hospitality.
Rebekah too, knew all about being kind. Her daily chores included drawing water from the well outside town and carrying the heavy jar of water home. When Abraham’s servant, who was very thirsty from his journey, asked for a little water from her jar, she didn’t hesitate to give him a drink (Genesis 24:17–18).
But then Rebekah did even more. When she saw that the visitor’s camels were thirsty, she quickly offered to go back to draw more water for them (vv. 19–20). She didn’t hesitate to help, even if it meant making an extra trip (or more) to the well and back with a heavy jar.
Life is tough for many people, and often a small gesture of practical kindness can encourage them and lift their spirits. Being a channel of God’s love doesn’t always mean delivering a powerful sermon or planting a church. Sometimes, it can simply be giving someone a drink of water.
12 Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham,c make me successfuld today,
and show kindnesse to my master Abraham.
13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.f
14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’
and she says, ‘Drink,g and I’ll water your camels too’h—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.i
By this I will knowj that you have shown kindness to my master.”
15 Before he had finished praying,k Rebekahl came out with her jar on her shoulder.
She was the daughter of Bethuelm son of Milkah,n who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.o
16 The woman was very beautiful,p a virgin;q no man had ever slept with her.
She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.
17 The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”r
18 “Drink,s my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camelst too,u
until they have had enough to drink.”
20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough,
ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.v
INSIGHT
- Who do you know who might need some encouragement?
- What act of practical kindness can you offer to encourage them?
Some might believe that the prayer of Abraham’s servant equated to testing God (Genesis 24:12–14). But the servant was in no way trying to manipulate the Almighty. He lived in a thoroughly pagan culture that habitually sought the guidance of false gods and inanimate idols. His prayer indicates a deep abiding faith in the one true God. The servant brought the challenge facing him to God, and He honored that faith. Verse 15 states that “before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder.” Whenever we truly turn to God, He meets us where we are.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the needs of people around me. Give me the wisdom to know how to show kindness and care to them. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Genesis 24:12–20 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36
