“Be . . given to hospitality.” Romans 12:13 NKJV.
Hospitality begins with the room you make in your heart and life for others.
My wife, Gayle, has a gift in abundance – the gift of hospitality. She is the consummate hostess. What she does, she does because of her personal conviction that “nice matters.” When we built our house, the guest quarters were designed specifically for the comfort and enjoyment of our friends, private, comfortable, welcoming, and decorated in a classic English Manor decor. Our home is a place for family and friends to enjoy and find comfort.
When friends are coming, Gayle prepares especially for that particular guest, providing their favorite snacks, coffees, drinks, and fresh flowers – chocolates for Rick (Peeps if at Easter), flavored coffees for Thea, M&Ms for Andrew, or olives for Anita. She learns the likes of our friends and graciously hosts them with personal touches that esteem and serve them. Her gift begins in her generous heart, then finds expression in practical, personal ways.
Among an exemplary list of normal expressions of Christian conduct – without hypocrisy, kind affection, giving preference, diligent, fervent, serving, rejoicing, hopeful, patient, praying steadfastly, giving to others’ needs – Paul concludes, “Let love be . . given to hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13 NKJV. Now who would expect “hospitality” to finish such a list of spiritual behaviors? Yet there it is, an expectation of everyday Christian life.
Hospitality is a significant, Biblical concept demonstrating real community – the fitting expression of spiritual fellowship that is so much more than social entertainment. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7 NIV. Biblical acceptance is inclusive, offered to others without constraint as God extends grace and acceptance to you through Jesus Christ, His Son and your Savior. See John 13:34-35 NIV.
Hospitality is the Godly sharing of who you are and what you have with others. “Therefore, as you have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 NKJV. You have kindness to share, love to give, encouragement to offer, or a burden to bear.
Hospitality is the act of opening your heart to generously include others warmly and sincerely. I enjoy the Old Testament story of a “notable woman” in Shunem and her hospitality toward Elisha. Read 2 Kings 4:8-11 NKJV. She is notable in Scripture because she was “given to hospitality.” Recognizing that Elisha was a man of God, she and her husband built a room especially for the itinerant Elisha, “a place to stay whenever he comes by.” I see the quality of hospitality in her carefulness to provide all that her guest would require – a bed for rest, a table and chair for refreshment, and a lamp for light. Hospitality does not have to be extravagant; it will be practical and beneficial. True hospitality begins with the room you make in your heart and life for others.
Hospitality is the art of making others feel welcome and “at home.” Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you . . I will come again to receive you unto Myself that where I am there you may be also.” John 14:1-6 NKJV. A prepared place specifically for you, eternally. Now that’s Heaven’s hospitality.
My prayer for you today is that you relate to others with openness and acceptance.