"The servant hurried to meet her and said, 'Please give me a little water from your jar.' 'Drink, my lord,' she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, 'I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.'" -Genesis 24:17-19
Becky was the best player on her team. Every one wanted to play like Becky. She was a hard worker, but there was more to her than what people could see. On a road trip, the last freshman selected for the team that year broke her foot during a practice before a game. When they arrived at the hotel that night, Becky carried her teammate's bags to her room and asked her to stay with her. For the rest of the trip, Becky helped this little freshman with everything she needed.
Abraham was looking for the right woman for his son, Isaac. He sent a servant back to his homeland to find such a person. The servant prayed to find just the right woman and along came Rebekah. Not only did Rebekah give him a drink, but also she took care of his camels. Ten camels that could drink about 20 gallons apiece (about the average amount of Mountain Dew or Dr. Pepper most students drink in a day) would take about two hours to satisfy. This was the answer to the servant's prayer. Rebekah was the right one. Rebekah went the extra mile for this servant out of kindness, not duty. The "Rebekah Principle" is simple: go the extra mile for someone today. Help someone who could use a hand.
Becky continued to care for her young teammate all throughout the trip. Her other teammates could not understand why the top player would serve a freshman, but Becky did not mind. She understood that God calls us to serve, not to be served. Becky did not care what her teammates thought about what she was doing. She lived to serve God and knew that God would want her to help this teammate in need.
Are you applying the Rebekah Principle in your life today? Or are you applying minimal effort for a maximum return? God wants our ALL for nothing in return. If you apply the Rebekah Principle in your life, the return for your investment will have an eternal reward!
1. To whom do you need to apply the Rebekah Principle in your life?
2. Do you do minimal work for the hope of a maximum return?
3. Today, how can you serve God better by serving others?
Mark 10:42-45, Ephesians 6:7-8, Philippians 2:3
God, forgive me for applying minimal effort and expecting maximum return. Please provide opportunities for me to step beyond what is convenient and comfortable and meet the needs of someone else. Develop in me a servant’s heart. Amen.