In Matthew 10:42 Jesus says, "And whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. It's important to note that, in the Gospels, Jesus is teaching principles that will promote health and quality life, that up until this time had diminished to the point of, if you didn't follow the popular way of thinking, you were considered an outcast in their society. We even see this way of thinking today in every branch of life, in every nation, in all the different belief systems throughout the world. We've learned to become a people who are quicker to exclude others, from our little group or click, than to include them. We tend to scrutinize their every move and action in order to ensure they are just like us, first. When I think about this scripture in Matthew 10, I let my mind wander to all the different places throughout the world where the need to be able to find a cup of cold water, that isn't filled with disease and bacteria, has become a thing for survival. Here in America, we are blessed to go to a faucet or a store and have an abundance of water at our disposal. It may not always be the best, but, by far, better than what's available in many other countries. When there is lack, you'll usually find the reason for it is because of each one of us possesses a different piece of the puzzle of life. We tend to guard our possessions very carefully. We don't allow just anybody into our little world. If we do, they must go through a rigid test to see if they are worthy to receive my part of the puzzle. A very time consuming process at best. Far too many times we fail to pass the test others have for us. Therefore, we are left to do the best we can without their contribution to life. Unfortunately, this is how the church, the true body of Christ tends to behave. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus says, "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." In the context of this scripture, Jesus is addressing the issue of a brother who has sinned against another brother. He is telling them to address the issue. Don't just let things go. The things that are at stake concern issues of lack that arise on earth. The principle I receive from this scripture is, we need to begin to walk in agreement. We don't have to think alike. We don't have to act the same way. We don't have to dress like each other. The only requirement here is to agree. If we've accepted Jesus as our Savior, we can do this. The rewards for walking in agreement far outweigh what our differences do to us. If we, who are already a part of the body of Jesus Christ, learn to put our differences aside and bring our God given answers to the table and begin sharing, with one another, our piece to this grand puzzle of life, Jesus said, what we ask for will be done for us by our Father in heaven. What a difference this principle would make concerning the results of the sins of our land, that we see throughout the earth. The way I see it is, the reason for lack is because of our sins of neglect. When we neglect to confront sin in a manner that's in line with the principles Jesus lays out for us, someone lacks. When we neglect to give of our abundance to help others in need when we have it to give, but won't because you don't believe the way I do, someone lacks. When we neglect to reach out to someone that's hurting because they aren't part of our group, someone lacks. When we neglect to address the tough issues of human slavery, child sex trafficking, and hungry children in third world countries because of our fears, and withhold resources we may have, someone lacks. When we neglect to join forces and link arms to fight the degrading issues of earth, as one, the numbers of those who lack will grow to pandemic proportions. It's happening. According to Jesus' principle of agreement, if we'll take it to heart and lay aside our differences and join forces as one body of believers, that which we ask of the Father will be done for us. I believe it's only in this context that we'll see "lack" totally, eradicated here on earth. God has placed abundance in the whole earth. We all carry a part of it. Ask Father what He would have you do. If it's just to give a cup of cold water, you'll have your reward from Father. Above all, we must strive to become one body and one voice, with the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord leading the way.