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In the last few weeks, we've been studying God's word as
it relates to personal work and evangelism. Specifically,
we've been talking about calling and visiting people.
Today, I want to continue our study with the topic of
hospitality.
What is Hospitality
The Greek word philoxenia, translated hospitality literally
means, "love of strangers." It is the act of entertaining
strangers or guests.
Hospitality in the New Testament
God commands us to be hospitable.
- We are to practice hospitality (Rom. 12:13).
- We are to be hospitable to strangers (Heb. 13:2).
Hospitality is a quality of the saints.
- It is a qualification of elders (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8).
- It is a qualification of widows who are supported by
the church (1 Tim. 5:10).
We must be hospitable toward Christians.
- We must be hospitable to one another without complaining
(1 Pet. 4:9).
First century Christians were hospitable beginning at Pentecost,
eating meals together in their homes.
- The saints were sharing meals together from house to
house, taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity
of heart (Acts 2:46).
We will be judged as to whether we've been hospitable
to the saints.
- Jesus tells us that judgment will be based, in part,
regarding our treatment of the saints. A faithful disciple
is hospitable (Matt. 25:34-40).
Hospitality in Our Day and Culture
Circumstances in our culture are different from Old Testament
and New Testament days. Today we have hotels affordable
to anyone who can afford transportation. The need for hospitality
toward the recreational or business traveler does not exist
as in Bible days.
Circumstances in our culture are similar to Bible days
as they relate to missionaries. Brethren who travel and
preach still need a place to stay and their daily needs
met, just like Jesus and the apostles. We could have an
opportunity to be hospitable when a preacher travels here
to teach.
Circumstances in our culture are similar to Bible days
as they relate to poor brethren. Jesus tells us that we
will always have the poor with us; therefore, we will always
have poor brethren whom we can relieve by entertaining them
in our homes. If these poor brethren are members of our
congregation, we must seek to relive them of their distress
as we have opportunity (Gal. 6:10).
Circumstances in our culture are similar to Bible days
as they relate to the social fellowship we have with one
another in our homes. Sometimes we may share a meal, and
other times we might just visit and encourage one another.
Hospitality in this sense is for encouragement and spiritual
growth rather than meeting a pressing physical need.
It Takes Hard Work
It's not easy to be hospitable. It takes time, energy, and
often financial resources. Maybe that's why Peter commands
us to be hospitable "without complaint" (1 Pet. 4:9).
But hospitality is also one of the most rewarding areas
of service that we extend to one another. No matter the
circumstances, it's rewarding and encouraging to spend time
with brethren and be encouraged by one another.
But sometimes I think we make hospitality harder than
it has to be. We may not be hospitable because we think
our homes have to be absolutely immaculate, or we think
we have to provide an extravagant meal, or we're so drained
from doing everything else.
Over time, I've learned that all the physical things don't
matter (house, food, etc.). What's important is spending
time with brethren, no matter what shape the house is in
or what there is to eat.
And I've learned that when we put in a little extra work
to extend hospitality to brethren, life is much more enjoyable,
and we're more encouraged. We have to spend time with brethren
to be encouraged by brethren.
Young People
It's important that we teach our children to be hospitable.
Our example may be the most important way we teach our children
regarding hospitality. If we raise our children in a hospitable
home, they'll think it normal to have people over for social
fellowship, have traveling preachers stay in our homes for
days at a time, and have the poor over to eat meals.
It's important that we teach them to help us prepare to
be hospitable. They need to help get the house ready, and
make other preparations. Teaching them to get their rooms
ready, or giving their rooms up for a house guest, is as
important as teaching them to attend church and partake
of the Lord's Supper.
Most importantly, young people need support and encouragement
to have other young Christians into their homes. Our children
need to spend time with Christians, and just not the worldly
people they meet at school.
As parents, we are commanded to bring our children up in
the training and admonition of the Lord. This means we must
make provisions for social experiences that are encouraging
and helpful to our children, in addition to providing for
all their other needs. In part, hospitality toward other
young Christians and their families will greatly help us
obey God's command.
Conclusion
Our Western, twenty-first century culture, is different
from the Asian culture in which the Bible was written. Our
opportunities to be hospitable to brethren are different
from the opportunities afforded first century brethren.
We occasionally have an opportunity to be hospitable to
poor brethren. And we have numerous occasions to be hospitable
to one another on a social level.
Remember that hospitality is a command. And that it must
be accompanied with the correct attitude, without complaining
(1 Pet. 4:9).
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