“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Rom. 12:13 ESV
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:3 ESV
Scripture issues a clear call for Christ followers to show hospitality to both fellow believers and non believers alike, even strangers. In a time of great temptation for isolating one’s self from the concerns of those outside their own circle, I believe it’s time for Christians to renew their commitment to a practice that predates the church.
The word translated hospitality in the verses above most literally speaks to kindness shown to strangers. When the scriptures were written inns were few, and completely lacking in the gaps between cities. Travelers moved at great risk, especially when the distance was long or they didn’t enjoy the company of a caravan well stocked with provisions. Many travelers depended on the kindness and hospitality shown by families they’d meet along the way. These families would open their homes and share their meals. So significant was this need that many cultures around the world even today consider hospitality a highly honored norm, to be faithfully kept and appreciated.
Karen and I experienced this firsthand while serving as missionaries in New Mexico. Aside from our work with Native Americans, we had an opportunity to assist with the planting of a Chinese church in Socorro. The Lord brought us a Taiwanese missionary who served international students. Starting with two faculty members from the Chinese mainland and two couples who had spent much of their professional careers there, through the student ministry Grace Chinese Fellowship grew to an attendance of more than fifty.
One day I asked a young man in the church, a student raised atheist and taught to shun persons from Taiwan, what drew him to the church. His reply, “When we arrived your missionaries invited us to their home, and made real Chinese food, not like the restaurants here. We are taught, when someone shows you hospitality, no matter who they are, you must honor it. So I kept answering their invitations and the Lord opened my heart. Now I am saved.”
In the years since I’ve served beside persons from a variety of cultures and places. Most maintain this high regard for hospitality so that in both our display of and response to it, I’ve seen people saved and churches planted.
So why is it that, across America, hospitality is perceived as little more than a vanishing custom of the rural landscape? It comes down to our basic struggle with sin and the un-holy trinity of me, myself, and I. The more self-absorbed one is, the less room there is for the needs of others.
How do we recapture a priority for hospitality, obeying our Lord in this area and leveraging it for His purpose? Let me offer a few suggestions.
First, repent of any claim of self-preference. This is a constant battle, but Jesus reminds is that the greatest in His kingdom are the ones who become servant of all. Remember, Jesus, the good shepherd, laid down his life for His sheep.
Next, you need to love people. Christians cannot separate love for the Lord from loving others. Jesus made that quite clear. And it’s love for people that leads us to set aside our momentary needs and wants to serve those of others. We usually understand this within the church, but take a moment and consider how this applies with your neighbors and others who cross your way.
Third, you need to consider God’s hand in directing people your way. I’m certainly not suggesting that we meet every need of everyone we meet. But be aware of those connections with people and prayerfully consider why the Lord brought them across your path in the first place.
Fourth, begin with small gestures showing you care. Delivering a gift of homemade cookies to your neighbors, or stopping your neighborhood walk to say hello to a neighbor checking their mail are simple tasks with deep meaning.
Finally, open your home, or at least your circle. The ultimate in hospitality is sharing your home. I realize people don’t visit their friends the way they used to, but consider inviting friends, neighbors, or colleagues to your home for a simple dinner. Karen and I enjoy having people over for dinner and games, or my prized beef and Bambi chili. You might invite a family visiting your church to join yours for Sunday dinner.
However you practice it, hospitality is basically the tangible offering of your love for others in the name of Christ. The more we practice it, the more bridges we build for serving our church and community for the Lord’s glory. Think about it.
Blessings,
Jim