Be Hospitable one to another- by Mark and Sara

What is hospitality?

In recent years, we have taken a good hard look at our own lives, searching God's Word for examples, and then put into practice those things we found one by one. We still have a long ways to go, but here are some of our thoughts on the subject.

I would like to preface this study with a thought: many are on limited budgets, and have homes that they consider "not good enough to entertain in" We have never been to a home that we didn't find the accomodations or food to be adequate. If you can only afford a bowl of rice and water, then serve that. It is not about the food, but the time spent together, and the fellowship of sharing what we have with others in the Lord.

Our family has had many folks to our home(a camper trailer of about 275 square feet) with families as large as 7 plus our family of 5(soon to be 6), so don't think the size or condition of your home is not good enough. Honesty and transparency in our dealing with one another is a necessary first step to getting to truly know each other and be able to help. We are family, as believers in Christ, united in spirit, and we desire to see the body of Christ worldwide unified, caring for one another, and glorifying God in every area of our lives.

I pray that the intent of this teaching is evident, not to judge or point fingers, nor to boast in anything. We are all in this together, and we all have much to change in our lives to please the Lord. May we all be unified in the love of God, and the fellowship we have in Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord, giving all thanks and praise where it is due, to Him alone who is worthy.

Dictionary definition-

HOS'PITABLE, a. [L. hospitalis, from hospes, a guest.]

1. Receiving and entertaining strangers,with kindness and without reward; kind to strangers and guests; disposed to treat guests with generous kindness; as a hospitable man.

2. Proceeding from or indicating kindness to guests; manifesting generosity; as a hospitable table; hospitable rites.

3. Inviting to strangers; offering kind reception; indicating hospitality.

Biblical references -

Romans. 12:13- (in regards to one another)Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Practically, this speaks to serving a need inside the body. Maybe inviting someone to your home(someone who does not have the means to eat well, or prepare food due to loss of home), taking a meal to a family in need(injury, death in family, baby born, etc). This is based on filling a practical need, and also of meals being a great time to talk, fellowship, and after eating to pray and read God's Word together. This type of encouragement is seriously lacking in most of our lives. True fellowship is not about the regular meetings of the church body, but also in our daily lives. The 1^st century church shows this pattern, and I believe is both described and prescribed for the body to function as it should.

1Timothy 5:10- (speaking of widows, receiving them)Having a reputation for good works, and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

The example here is not meant to shun those who are not known for these character traits, but to show the example of what would be expected of a lady in fellowship(the example is specific, but applies to men also), these traits being exhibited over the course of time while her husband was alive, and if she had children, that the expectation is not neglected. We all should strive to take up these roles, to follow the Christian model of hospitality and care for one another.

Hebrews 13:2- (strangers and visitors)Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

When you invite into your home the poor, destitute, single moms, young men and women, and so many other people in various situations, our heart to please the Lord is evident by our desire to serve others, and in so doing, to serve God. Visiting Christians to your church, missionaries and the Lord's workers as they travel through are a blessing to the home, and it is such a blessing to know that no matter where you go, the body of Christ is there to love and care for you. If we are to be a family, we must act like family. We must be proactive in seeking out ways to serve, not taking this up only when no one else is doing this vital work in the body. We ought all to be known for our hospitality.

1Peter 4:9- be hospitable to one another without complaint.

This is not a burden, nor a difficulty, but a blessing to our own hearts to serve the saints, and bless the Lord's heart in loving His church. Not a chore or a necessary task to dread, but a wonderful blessing to be able to show practical love to one another.

Examples from the early church, a pattern we look to so often-

Acts 2:44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Acts 2:45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Acts 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The pattern of the early church is that of sharing, caring, spending time together both in prayer and study. This is for edifying the saints, and if we love each other as we ought to, this type of living will be the natural result. Make no mistake about it, if we know something to be good, and don't do it, it is sin!