In thinking about our duties to our fellow believers, we often overlook the duty of hospitality. Oddly, though, it is one of the primary duties set forth in scripture regarding how we deal with our fellow believers. We are told to "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:9) and to "contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Rom. 12:13. We are also urged to show hospitality to strangers. Hebrews 13:2.
Hospitality is a central aspect of mature Christian living. No man can be an elder unless he is hospitable (Titus 1:8, 1 Tim. 3:2). No woman could be on the widow's list who had not been hospitable. 1 Tim. 5:10. Yet, somehow, we seem to have forgotten this virtue.
In the last year, how many times have you had visitors from your church in your home? How often do you bring in strangers or unbelievers? (Hospitality is not charity, by the way. Charity is something you give, but hospitality requires you to bring them in.)
We live in a different culture, we are told, which is certainly true. Yet, I am not sure how much it explains or justifies our failure to be hospitable. Yes, the people in most of our churches have their own homes, so what? Why does that give us a reason not to invite them to our homes? Yes, there are lots of social charities, what has that to do with me?
How often have you been invited to visit others? How often have you accepted (allowing them to be hospitable) as opposed to coming up with an excuse? How much easier it is to meet somewhere for dinner and then each couple go home alone. Yet, how much less satisfying.
Now, we go to a church, sit with people we barely know, perhaps have lunch or dinner somewhere (cafeterias are popular), and then go home alone with our families. No one knows us. No one knows our problems.
So, ask yourself these questions. In my group of Christians (my church, my Sunday School, my women's group, etc.), do you know where they all live? Have you been to each of their homes? Have they each been to your home? If they were asked to describe you, would "hospitable" be one of the words they would use?
We have so many excuses. We are not good housekeepers (meaning we are lazy and don't want them to know it). We are busy. We are tired. We don't know how to entertain. Our children are sick, or some other children are sick and ours might get sick. We are just "taking a break" from hospitality for a little while. These things pile up quickly.
And then, one day, you look around your church and realize that you do not actually know very many people at all. It's amazing how "unfriendly" a church can feel to a person who is not hospitable.
Once, when serving as an elder at a church, I was shocked to find that one of the long-term members was angry at me. He said that I "had never even visited him in his home." What shocked me was that he had never invited me. Not once had he practiced hospitality, but he was upset that I had not somehow forced myself into his home. How odd that we have come to see intrusion as better than hospitality.
How hospitable are you? How many people do you know really well? Believe it or not, these questions are closely tied together. Hospitality should be a central aspect of our Christian lives. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Hospitality is a central aspect of mature Christian living. No man can be an elder unless he is hospitable (Titus 1:8, 1 Tim. 3:2). No woman could be on the widow's list who had not been hospitable. 1 Tim. 5:10. Yet, somehow, we seem to have forgotten this virtue.
In the last year, how many times have you had visitors from your church in your home? How often do you bring in strangers or unbelievers? (Hospitality is not charity, by the way. Charity is something you give, but hospitality requires you to bring them in.)
We live in a different culture, we are told, which is certainly true. Yet, I am not sure how much it explains or justifies our failure to be hospitable. Yes, the people in most of our churches have their own homes, so what? Why does that give us a reason not to invite them to our homes? Yes, there are lots of social charities, what has that to do with me?
How often have you been invited to visit others? How often have you accepted (allowing them to be hospitable) as opposed to coming up with an excuse? How much easier it is to meet somewhere for dinner and then each couple go home alone. Yet, how much less satisfying.
Now, we go to a church, sit with people we barely know, perhaps have lunch or dinner somewhere (cafeterias are popular), and then go home alone with our families. No one knows us. No one knows our problems.
So, ask yourself these questions. In my group of Christians (my church, my Sunday School, my women's group, etc.), do you know where they all live? Have you been to each of their homes? Have they each been to your home? If they were asked to describe you, would "hospitable" be one of the words they would use?
We have so many excuses. We are not good housekeepers (meaning we are lazy and don't want them to know it). We are busy. We are tired. We don't know how to entertain. Our children are sick, or some other children are sick and ours might get sick. We are just "taking a break" from hospitality for a little while. These things pile up quickly.
And then, one day, you look around your church and realize that you do not actually know very many people at all. It's amazing how "unfriendly" a church can feel to a person who is not hospitable.
Once, when serving as an elder at a church, I was shocked to find that one of the long-term members was angry at me. He said that I "had never even visited him in his home." What shocked me was that he had never invited me. Not once had he practiced hospitality, but he was upset that I had not somehow forced myself into his home. How odd that we have come to see intrusion as better than hospitality.
How hospitable are you? How many people do you know really well? Believe it or not, these questions are closely tied together. Hospitality should be a central aspect of our Christian lives. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
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