Biblical Hospitality:
Biblical hospitality is the love shown to strangers. The Bible shows great examples of hospitality in both the Old and New Testament. It is our duty as Women of Christ to share the warmth of our families with those strangers the Lord brings our way and puts in our path for His glory not ours.
Romans 12:9-21
Biblical hospitality is the love shown to strangers. The book of acts gives us many example of hospitality. The first person to show hospitality was Abraham in Genesis 18:1-8. He opened his arms in the name of hospitality to others including the Lord Himself. The LORD appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre in the heat of the day. Abraham offered a little water, a morsel of bread, a tender calf, butter and milk.
Abigail is another example of Biblical hospitality found in 1 Samuel 25:1-44. Abigail was of good character even though her husband was a cheat. It was because of her good character that she averted bloodshed and a punishment from the LORD God upon David. The hospitality of Abigail was two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She rode on the ass down by the covering of the hills. Abigail came as a humble servant to David.
Simon Peter lodged with Simon who was a tanner, whose house was by the sea side in Joppa. Simon, the tanner showed hospitality. (Acts 10:5-6).
Lydia at Philippi shows hospitality to Paul. Lydia was a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God. Her heart was open to the Lord. Lydia attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she begged Paul that if he judged her to be faithful to the Lord, come into her house, and abide there. (Acts 16:14-15, 40).
There was a jailer that brought Paul and Silas, into his house and sets meat before them. (Acts 16:34).
Paul and Silas and Timotheus departed from Macedonia. Titus Justus at Corinth was one that worshipped God and his house bordered the synagogue. (Acts 18:5-7).
Philip, the evangelist, which was one of the seven at Cesarea showed hospitality to Paul and his company. (Acts 21:8).
Paul and his companions carried their pack and goods and went up to Jerusalem. Also with Paul was certain of the disciples of Caesarea, they lodged with Mnason of Cyprus at Jerusalem, an old disciple, who gladly received them. (Acts 21:15-16).
Paul sets sail for Rome as a prisoner. Along the way there is a mighty storm and the whole ship gets destroyed. Paul and his disciples end up on an Island called Malta. Publius in Malta the chief man of the island received Paul and his disciples and they lodged there three days courteously. The father of Publius laid sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul entered in and prayed and laid his hands on him, and healed him. Others which had diseases in the island came and were also healed. Paul and his disciples were honored and when they departed they gave them all their necessaries. (Acts 28:7-10).
The duty of showing hospitality can be seen in the duties of a bishop. They must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; , not given to much wine, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (1 Timothy 3:2-4).
The widow are instructed to be of good works. If she have brought up children, showed hospitality to strangers, washed the feet of saints if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10).
Christians are pursue to distribute to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (Romans 12:13).
Jesus said, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:” (Matthew 25:35).
It is important that we as Women of Christ remember that hospitality involves more than giving people a place to stay and a meal. Hospitable means that when we invite people into our homes and lives that we make them comfortable around us and that they perceive that we genuinely care for them. We must walk the walk of Christ so people will understand we put Christ first in our lives.
Jesus, who is our example on this earth, has told us those people who receive us receive Jesus, and he that receives Jesus receives the LORD God that sent Jesus. Those that receive a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s’ reward. Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, Jesus say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matthew 10:40-42).
We learn from Titus 1:8 the virtues of being hospitable it is that willingness to give strangers food and shelter. This could be travelers or visitors that come into our lives. These strangers found in the New Testament were prophets, disciples, and evangelists. The strangers in our lives could be whoever the LORD brings into your lives. We are to use hospitality one to another without grudging. (1Peter 4:9).
The way we should conduct our live is illustrated in the book of Romans. Our love should be without hypocrisy and it should be sincere. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful or grievous in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceable with all men. If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; in doing this you shall heap coals of fire on his head. We cannot be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
Our character for practicing Biblical Hospitality should be humble. It means stepping out of our comfort zone and allowing the Lord to lead us. We need to humble ourselves and let go of always being in charge and allowing the Lord to bring people to us as He sees fit. It will require us to be obedient and listen to what we are being asked to do. Then accept the task at hand and do as much as we can do to the best of our ability. We also must always be prayerful and find the course the Lord wants us on and continue that course with Him. We must always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the spirit of integrity. Our ever thought must be on the genuine love of the Lord and displaying that love in all we do.
Everyone needs a place where they can feel safe and welcomed. Our Jesus Christ wants us to show His love to others. It is our duty as Women of Christ to share the warmth of our families with those strangers the Lord brings our way and puts in our path for His glory not ours.
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MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Biblical Hospitality:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1935,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “Biblical Hospitality:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1935,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Biblical Hospitality: .” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1935, (accessed).
