Hospitality is not a mere social formality; it is a sacred duty.
I learned the hard way as a young minister preaching for vacationing pastors. “Pulpit supply,” it was called. Back then, it was typical for someone in the congregation to invite the visiting minister home for a meal. Young newlyweds invited me to their home.
As a preacher still wet behind the ears, I did not know what to make of the situation. The young wife was in a dither to make a good impression, and the husband had a hard time conversing. Had his wife put him up to the invitation?
The thin slices of meat were grisly, the mashed potatoes runny, and the warmed frozen peas were still crystalline. Yet, as we ate and talked, I had a revelation of sorts. It was that despite the discomfort this couple was experiencing and the risk they were taking in inviting the preacher to dinner for the first time, they were doing their best to live their faith. They wanted to be hospitable Christians.
They wanted me to see and bless their humble home, show me their recent wedding pictures, pray with them, talk with them across the table, and serve me food as an act of kindness.
Sadly, spontaneously taking a visiting preacher, or even new church visitors, home to dinner is a thing of the past in most churches. The tradition has mostly died. However, Christian hospitality is a cornerstone of our faith, and we must find ways to practice it regularly.
The Biblical Foundation of Hospitality
What is hospitality? It is the friendly, kind, and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Most hospitality occurs in our homes, but it can take many forms in different places.
The Bible is filled with examples of hospitality. One of the most prominent is Abraham’s encounter with three strangers in Genesis 18. Abraham, unaware that he was hosting angels, demonstrated exemplary hospitality by providing them with a feast. This story (Genesis 18:1-8) serves as a powerful testament to the importance of hospitality as a reflection of God’s love and care.
When we show hospitality, we become conduits of God’s blessings. The story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-17 illustrates this beautifully. Her simple act of regularly hosting Elisha led to her receiving a miraculous blessing, the birth of a son.
The New Testament church practiced hospitality even in perilous times. Acts 2:46-47 depicts the early Christians breaking bread and sharing possessions with glad and generous hearts, which played a crucial role in the church’s growth.
Jesus was the epitome of hospitality, often dining with tax collectors and sinners, showing his love and mercy were for all (Luke 15:1-2).
Genuine hospitality extends beyond sharing a meal. It involves creating an environment where people feel valued, loved, and accepted. Consider the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). While Martha was preoccupied with hosting, Mary chose to be hospitable by giving her full attention to Jesus, their guest.
Hospitality as Service to the Lord
Christian hospitality is not just about being a good host; it’s a service unto the Lord. In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus teaches that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Him. This redefines hospitality from a mere social pleasantry to an act of worship. We can put this directive into action in these ways.
The Problem of Strangers and Invaders
In Hebrews 13:2, we are reminded to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels unawares. This verse challenges us to extend our hospitality beyond our comfort zones. This concept has become controversial in recent years with mass migrations and the Marxist-Progressive political ideology that allows it. When many millions cross borders without permission, they are not strangers but invaders.
Christians show their hospitality to those who cross borders in a legal and orderly way and are willing to assimilate into our society, not attempt to overthrow it by disobeying our laws in many different ways. Orderly immigration is honorable; mass invasion into our country and community is not. Christians ought to support orderly immigration.
Caring for the Needy
Caring for the needy is another expression of hospitality. James 1:27 describes true religion as caring for orphans and widows in their distress. We practice pure and undefiled religion before God by extending hospitality to the needy.
But what should we do about those who purposefully become needy? Homeless people on drugs and have mental illness are beyond the scope of most individuals and local churches. We cannot see them as merely needy but tragic shells of humanity. We can transcend ordinary concepts of caring for others if we pressure the government, whoever is in power, to eliminate homelessness and the social dynamics that cause it.
Caring for Christian Workers
3 John 1:5-8 commends believers for showing hospitality to brothers and strangers alike, especially those working in God’s service. By supporting missionaries and Christian workers, we participate in their work indirectly. I have had the joy of receiving this kind of hospitality.
In the US, pastors or members often took me out to lunch at restaurants. That was fine, and I always appreciated it. But when I was in Russia, for example, the poor people took me or our team to humble homes and emptied their larders for us. God blessed them and us, and as you can see, we are still telling the story today. And yes, we always saw that their larders were replenished the next day in ways that enabled them to retain their dignity and joy.
Christian homes should be the center of hospitality. Acts 5:42 reminds us that the early church grew partially due to house-to-house hospitality. Traveling teachers were welcomed as guests into homes (Acts 21:1-16). Hospitality toward strangers was an opportunity to share the Gospel with people outside of the faith (1 Cor. 16:19; Acts 18:24-28). We show the love of Christ when we bring people to our table, host a celebration, open our homes for Bible studies, or care for others in times of stress.
Seize the Opportunity
Hospitality is more than a social virtue; it’s a spiritual imperative embedded in our Christian identity. To activate this aspect of our spiritual DNA, consider these steps:
- Start with intentionality. Begin by intentionally looking for opportunities to show hospitality in your daily life, be it in your home, church, neighborhood, or workplace.
- Extend hospitality beyond your circle. Challenge yourself to extend hospitality to those outside your usual social circle. This could mean inviting a new family at church for dinner or reaching out to someone in need in your community.
- Incorporate hospitality into your ministry. Consider how you can use your gifts and resources to practice hospitality as a form of ministry. Not just the ministry of your church but your personal ministry as you seek to serve the Lord daily.
In embracing the heart of hospitality, we live out our faith in practical ways and mirror Christ’s generous love. Let us be known not just by our faith but by our loving, hospitable actions.
Sources cited: Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
