Water and Hospitality: Christian Culture in Mark 9:41 to Conserve Water

Water crises affect over half of the global population, and this condition is closely connected to human behavior, particularly the tendency to privatize water resources for commercial interests rather than safeguarding them as a common good. Although biblical scholars have examined the symbolic meaning of water in Scripture, its practical application to ecological responsibility and water conservation often seems to be overlooked. This study focuses on Gospel of Mark 9:41, analyzing its theological teaching on human behavior and its connection to water crises, specifically regarding distribution and management. Through social-scientific criticism, the study reveals that Mark 9:41 promotes a culture of hospitality, urging disciples to serve one another with care, which extends to the use of water as a vital resource. The practice of water hospitality, which emphasizes sharing and caring for others, plays a crucial role in promoting water conservation and equitable distribution. This approach offers potential solutions to global water crises by fostering more responsible stewardship of water resources.