For Your Camels, Too

Devotional

Day 1: When "Drink, My Lord" Becomes Camels Watered

Rebecca’s story begins with simple obedience before becoming extraordinary. She first gave water to the stranger as requested, proving faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater service. Her dependability mattered as much as her generosity. True Christian work starts not with grand gestures but with showing up, keeping promises, and doing tasks well—even when no one applauds. The camels came later because the jar came first. [07:34]

She said, “Drink, my lord,” and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” (Genesis 24:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: Where has God placed you to practice quiet dependability this week? What ordinary task could become an act of worship if done “as for the Lord”?

Day 2: Ten Camels and the Weight of Generosity

Rebecca’s offer to water ten thirsty camels required backbreaking labor—a single camel drinks up to 25 gallons. She didn’t calculate the cost but acted with energetic kindness. Jesus’ call to carry a soldier’s pack a second mile mirrors this: both demand going beyond minimums. The Christian life rejects “just enough” mentality, asking instead, “What else can love do?” True service measures not in quotas but in the space between obligation and sacrifice. [13:36]

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:41, ESV)

Reflection: Where are you tempted to stop at life’s “one-mile markers”? What practical act of unexpected generosity could embody the second-mile spirit today?

Day 3: From Yardstick Religion to Wellspring Hearts

The Pharisees measured righteousness down to mint seeds; Rebecca measured water by camels’ thirst. Jesus condemned not law-keeping but loveless precision. A changed heart transforms duty into delight—not “How little can I give?” but “How much can I pour out?” God’s grace isn’t earned through extra labor but overflows through those who’ve been filled. The camels drank because Rebecca’s spirit already swam in deeper waters. [20:41]

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Do you serve more from fear of falling short or awe of being loved? How might grasping God’s mercy shift your “have to” into “get to”?

Day 4: The Unseen Troughs of Faithfulness

The servant watched silently as Rebecca drew water again and again. She didn’t know her camels were an audition for Isaac’s heart. Most kingdom work happens in unobserved moments—the extra email answered, the dish washed without complaint, the patience shown when tired. God sees the troughs we fill when no one else notices. Faithfulness thrives where cameras don’t. [26:12]

Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether the Lord had made his journey successful. (Genesis 24:21, ESV)

Reflection: What hidden act of service have you undervalued because no one praised it? How might seeing God as your audience change your approach to mundane tasks?

Day 5: Lavished Grace and the Camels Ahead

Jesus didn’t give the minimum required—He died for enemies. Rebecca’s camels point beyond herself to the God who “richly provides” (1 Timothy 6:17). Every second mile begins at the foot of the cross, where grace was poured out beyond measure. This week’s “camels”—the extra needs, unseen tasks, or weary people—aren’t burdens but invitations to mirror the lavish love we’ve received. [24:24]

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. (1 John 3:1, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you struggle to believe God’s grace toward you is truly sufficient? How could living from His abundance help you spot—and water—the camels in your path?

Sermon Summary

Genesis 24 puts Rebekah at a well with a simple request in front of her. Abraham’s servant asks for a drink, and Rebekah gives him one. But Rebekah does not stop with what was required. She sees ten thirsty camels, and she says, “I’ll draw water for your camels too until they have had enough to drink.” That was not a little thing. She quickly empties her jar, runs back to the well, and keeps drawing water until the work is done.

Rebekah’s example shows that the first mile still matters. Christian character is not first about being flashy. It is about being faithful, dependable, honest, and responsible. Colossians 3:23 says that whatever is done should be done with all the heart, as working for the Lord and not for human masters. A job, a classroom, a home, a construction site, an office, or a kitchen table becomes a place to serve the Lord when the work is done well.

Jesus takes that first-mile faithfulness and calls His people beyond it. Matthew 5:41 says that when someone forces a person to go one mile, that person should go two. The first mile is what is demanded. The second mile is what is freely given. The first mile says, “I have to.” The second mile says, “I choose to.” Rebekah’s willingness to water the camels shows a heart that does not make minimum compliance the boundary of love.

The Pharisees reveal the danger of a yardstick religion. Their righteousness carefully measured every obligation, yet mechanical obedience could still leave the heart far from God and cruel toward people. Jesus calls for more than checking boxes, clocking in, and asking how little can be done while still technically complying. Jesus calls for a changed heart that asks, “How far can love go?” and “What can I give?”

Christ makes second-mile living possible because He went beyond the second mile for sinners. Christ did not give bare-minimum mercy, reheated grace, or love from a distance. God is rich in mercy, and His grace is lavished on His people. Christ took on flesh, entered suffering, bore sin, and carried His cross all the way to Calvary. Grace therefore does not turn believers into exhausted doormats or people without boundaries. Grace loosens the grip on the yardstick and makes generosity visible in work, service, friendship, marriage, and ordinary unnoticed moments.

Rebekah did not know she was being watched. Her character showed up in the unannounced work, the trip after trip to the well, and the kindness nobody applauded. God still sees that kind of faithfulness. The call is simple: do what is required, then look for the camels.

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Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness comes before extra effort. Rebekah first gave the servant the drink he asked for before she offered anything more. The desire to go the second mile never excuses skipping the first one. Christian work should be dependable before it is impressive. [08:06]
2. Love refuses minimum compliance. The first mile is obligation, but the second mile is freely given love. Jesus does not permit resentment and bare-minimum effort to set the boundaries of service. Love asks not merely, “What do I owe?” but “What can I give?” [16:53]
3. Generosity needs healthy boundaries. Second-mile Christianity does not mean becoming a doormat, never resting, or never saying no. A generous spirit is different from working oneself into the ground. Grace changes the heart so that service becomes willing rather than forced. [17:23]
4. Christ went further for sinners. Jesus gave His life not merely for friends, but while people were still sinners. His mercy is rich, His grace is lavished, and His love came near in the flesh. Christian generosity grows from receiving that undeserved love, not from trying to earn it. [23:17]
5. Look for the camels. Rebekah’s unseen work revealed her character before she knew anyone was watching. Ordinary needs, overlooked jobs, and discouraged people may be the camels placed in front of a believer today. God sees faithful kindness even when nobody else notices.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Will Work Become Optional?
[01:41] - Abraham’s Servant and Rebekah
[03:48] - A Specific Prayer at the Well
[05:13] - “I’ll Water Your Camels Too”
[07:34] - Do What Is Required
[09:37] - The Boston Marathon Shortcut
[13:03] - Do More Than Is Required
[15:10] - Jesus and the Second Mile
[18:29] - Serve From a Changed Heart
[20:41] - Yardstick Religion or Grace
[23:17] - Christ Went Beyond the Second Mile
[26:12] - Rebekah’s Unseen Character
[28:04] - Look for Your Camels

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 24:19 — “After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.’” [05:13]

Matthew 5:41 — “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” [06:50]

Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” [08:53]

Matthew 5:20 — “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” [18:44]

Observation questions

What did Rebekah do for the servant before she offered to water his camels, and why does that order matter? [07:34]
What details in Genesis 24 show that watering the camels was not a small or easy offer? [13:56]
What contrast is made between someone who asks, “What is the least I can do?” and someone who asks, “How can I make a contribution?” [17:07]
What examples show how a person can carefully follow rules and still fail to love God and people? [20:10]

Interpretation questions

Rebekah offered to water the camels “until they have finished drinking.” What does her willingness to complete the whole task reveal about the difference between helping reluctantly and serving generously? [13:17]
Jesus tells His followers to go two miles when they are forced to go one. How does the background of Roman soldiers requiring civilians to carry their loads help explain the surprising nature of Jesus’ command? [15:10]
Why is dependable first-mile faithfulness—showing up, telling the truth, keeping one’s word, and finishing work—an important part of Christian character? [12:45]
How can second-mile service become another unhealthy “yardstick” if a believer begins using extra effort to prove worth to God or to measure other people? [22:07]

Application questions

Where might there be a gap between wanting to do impressive things for God and simply being dependable in ordinary responsibilities at work, home, school, or church? What would faithful first-mile obedience look like this week? [08:23]
Is there an area where the attitude “That’s not my job” has become too familiar? Is there a small, practical need that could be met with a willing spirit rather than resentment? [17:23]
Who is a “camel” in your life right now: an overlooked task, a discouraged person, a family responsibility, or a need that nobody has assigned? What could it look like to say, “I’ll take care of that”? [28:14]
When serving others, what helps you tell the difference between generous second-mile love and unhealthy overcommitment? Are there boundaries, rest, or family responsibilities that need to be honored while still keeping a generous heart? [17:47]
In what situations is it easiest to keep score—asking what is owed, what is fair, or whether someone else has done enough? How does remembering Christ’s mercy toward sinners change that attitude? [23:17]
What unseen act of kindness or faithfulness could be done this week without needing recognition, praise, or anyone to know about it? [27:08]

Sermon Clips

40s

#FaithfulNotFlashy

“But you can't run the second mile if you skip the first one. So before Rebecca ever said, I'll water your camels too, she first gave this servant the drink he had asked for. She did what was required. And sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do when you go to work at the beginning of the week, on Monday or Tuesday this week, is just show up, be there, be dependable, keep your word, finish what you started, tell the truth, do the work, and do it as unto the lord. Because the first mark of Christian character at work is not that we're flashy, it's that we're faithful.”

39s

#GraceDrivesService

“So Christian service doesn't begin with, I have to do more because otherwise God's not gonna love me or or otherwise he he's gonna punish me. No. Christian service begins with, God loved me so generously that I want his generosity to become visible in the way that I live my life, in the way that I work, in the way that I serve. That's why Christians should be known for that extra measure. Not because we're trying to earn something, but because grace has changed our lives. God's love has changed our lives.”

58s

#SecondMileOverYardstick

“The Pharisees wanted to know, where does my obligation stop? Jesus taught his followers to ask, how far can love go? What what difference can love make if I if if I practice love? See, that's a difference between yardstick religion and second mile Christianity. Yardstick religion and second mile Christianity. They're not the same thing. Yardstick religion says, I gave the man his drink, And second mile Christianity says, I'll water his camels too. Yardstick religion says, I carried the load one mile. I did what I was supposed to. But second mile Christianity says, let's go another mile. Yardstick religion says, what do I owe? I I wanna I wanna keep my obligations, but not a penny more. And second mile Christianity says, what can I give?”

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