Hospitality – at MY House?

   And the King will answer them, ‘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

 

I think it was about two years ago that I had a conversation with a friend as we were walking.  My daughter and son-in-law were moving in with us and I was concerned about practicing hospitality in my newer, smaller house filled with more people.  She offered me some great ideas of ways to scale it back but still have opportunities to fellowship with others.

One of the things we talked about was inviting couples over for hors d’ourves  rather than a whole fancy dinner.  She said they had done this to get to know people when they first moved.  If it is someone we’ve just met, the people being invited might be more comfortable because the time is limited.  And, no one has ever starved eating hors d’ourves.

Another good suggestion was to have a dessert party.  One or two desserts go a long way.  This might be fun for the neighbors or some people from church on a weekend evening.  The numbers would not be nearly as important as if we were trying to seat everyone.  Dessert can be eaten standing if necessary.

Our conversation went on from there to dinners, teas, Saturday brunch.  There are endless times and ways to extend hospitality from our homes.  What I was reminded of this week was that this is a requirement of God for His people – and I really haven’t been doing it…even after all these good suggestions!

I am studying hospitality as a part of a bigger study for wives and mothers called “Apples of Gold.”  1 Peter 4:9-10 give us this command:  “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  That is pretty clear that we are not just supposed to do it but we are to enjoy it!

I am convicted because I have to admit that I often think about inviting others over. We have been in a new church for two years.  Many times I have thought about inviting someone so we could just get to know them.  But, I have rarely done it.  I make excuses about the number of people in my home – knowing that our daughter and son-in-law love to entertain and would welcome guests with open arms.

This house, which we have been in for about three years, is much smaller than the one we spent the last twenty-five years in so I argue in my own mind that it is not big enough.  I am sure I have also let others persuade me of that as they comment on the size of this house compared to our other house.  If someone else were to tell me that they don’t practice hospitality because their home is too small I would accuse them of not being content with what God has given them!  So now, not only am I not practicing hospitality but I can see my hypocrisy!

This study has convinced me that I have been wrong.  Practicing hospitality is a command from God to serve the saints.  He tells us in Hebrews that some have entertained angels unknowingly because they were willing to open their homes – and their hearts – to guests.  The Bible even says that being hospitable is a requirement for leaders in the church.  It is listed in both 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:7-8.  It is hard to lead or be unified with people we don’t know.  Practicing hospitality will grow relationships and perhaps even “contribute to the needs of the saints”.  Don’t we have a need for fellowship as well as food?

In addition to disobeying a command, I think we are also forfeiting some blessings by not extending hospitality.  There is a lot to be learned from inviting the servants of God who come through our church to join us for dinner.  Missionaries and speakers who serve God full time, perhaps,  see much more of the world than we do.  Even from our own congregation an “iron sharpens iron” conversation is healthy for our spiritual lives.

Thanks to a friendly conversation I was reminded how to keep it simple and entertain in ways that don’t require a lot of space.  I am now an “older woman” in the church.  Titus 2 tells me that I am to teach and train the younger women.  Much of that is to be by example as well as formal training like we are doing in “Apples of Gold”.  My friend reminded me two years ago how easy this could be….I just need to stop procrastinating and extend the invitation!

How about you?  Who have you invited to your house recently?  Remember this: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  (Hebrews 13:2) Won’t that be fun to look back on in eternity?