One day Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Isaac. As he was standing by a small town well, Eliezer prayed, ‘Let the woman who offers to water my camels be the one you have chosen.’ Suddenly Rebekah showed up and said, ‘I will draw water for your camels also’ (see Genesis 24:13-14). Rebekah had no idea that Eliezer would change her life. She didn’t know that her act of kindness would open the door to great blessing. In the Old Testament times, it was customary to offer water to a stranger. It was called the law of hospitality. The Hebrews believed the words: ‘Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it!’ (Hebrews 13:2 NLT). Rebekah’s giving Eliezer a drink of water was kind, but expected. But it was much more unusual to offer water for the camels. One camel can drink forty gallons, and Eliezer had ten of them. Drawing enough water from the well, one bucketful at a time, would have taken ages and been very hard work. Rebekah was generous to a stranger, seeking nothing but the joy of serving. What she didn’t know was that these camels would transport her back to Isaac, who would make her his bride, shower her with great wealth, and put her in the lineage of Christ. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus encourages us to go the extra mile. That’s what Rebekah did, and that’s what we should also try to do – not only doing what’s expected of us, but a little bit more too.

What Now?

Next time someone asks you to do something for them or help them with something, find a way of doing a little bit extra too, beyond what’s expected or asked for.