Practise Hospitality

The Bible says to do exactly this.

Two words only. Quite a message.

The Amplified Bible spells it out with some interesting additional details:

Practise hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ’s body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).

As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favour].

I think hospitality is one of those things which I often try to practise but feel I am lacking in what’s required…

…If only I had another place entirely, to offer for hospitality. A bigger place. (One big enough for my piano, currently in storage).

…If only I wasn’t so busy at work. When things settle a bit, then I’ll be able to practise hospitality. I’m sure it’ll settle by this coming Friday, right? Then I can be hospitable.

But as believers we aren’t to think like this. These sorts of limitations aren’t in line with the gospel mindset.

It’s not about the size of your place or the amount of time you have available – but in the depth of your welcome.

I also find that, in my sinfulness, sometimes I put limits on who I offer hospitality to or am willing to receive it from.

But this verse states that we should be ready to offer hospitality to all who come our way who are in the body of Christ. This means there’s no limits on the offer of hospitality for the believer.

And we have a heart posture of grace. Our hospitality is offered ungrudgingly, cordially and graciously. No complaints at all. And nothing expected in return.

Following on from the verse about hospitality is interestingly a command to use our gifts. The two do seem connected, as our hospitality to others should be a gift as well.

As for gifts, the Bible commands:

Employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace

There’s something powerful in that description: God’s many-sided grace.

God’s grace does indeed work on multiple levels. With many facets. And he asks that we explore those facets and share them with others.

So I ask myself:

What gifts do I have? And what is God asking me to do with them?

How can I share or receive hospitality from others?

Because as Christians we should always be investing in the lives of others.

Yours aiming to make a good investment,

Alison