Practicing hospitality is a discipline and a gift, taught and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He gives us eyes to see the need and the heart to embrace those around us. The core of hospitality involves creating an environment for others to belong, and as part of belonging, to have needs met. It can be done in the home, on the street in a conversation or in the workplace.
Share what you have with God’s people, and practice hospitality. Romans 12:13.
Hospitality does not have to be extravagant. Paul doesn’t exhort the believers in Romans to share once they have plenty and can put on a good spread. He says to share what you have. That might be a shared PB&J on a stool in an unfinished apartment. It might mean a safe place to talk and be heard. Sometimes God has blessed us with spare bedroom or with bounty to entertain lavishly. Regardless of our resources, our heart should convey in the invitation a desire to include them and make them feel comfortable.
Jesus affirms that hospitality is a ministry directly to Him. In the case of a believer:
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. Matthew 10:40
And towards the stranger:
Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40
We each are called to hospitality. And we, as a Body, can help one another in offering hospitality together. What that looks like for me may be different from how God has called you to minister. That’s why it takes all of us to meet the needs of an inhospitable world with the undeserved hospitality shown us by God.
You prepare a table before me … Psalm 23:5
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