FORGET NOT TO SHOW HOSPITALITY

By: Dennis Harworth

Hospitality.  Now that is a word in society you do not hear very often; much less see it in practice.  That is unless you are “paying” for it at a Five Star hotel, where the employees are required to display it if they want to keep their jobs.  Fortunately, it is found in many churches in which some of them even named it a Hospitality Ministry; a ministry dedicated to making people feel welcome and at home. 

The Early Church adopted this kind of hospitality mentality; not in the churches, but by taking traveling missionaries or believers into their homes.  Many of them either had been displaced from their homes due to persecution or were traveling to another region to spread the Gospel.  Since the inns had poor reputations, Christians were commanded to both share with God’s people in need (Romans 12:13), and don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (Hebrews 13:2 NLT). 

The Greek word for hospitality is philoxenia; a compound of the words philos, meaning “to love like a friend or brother”, and xenia, meaning “stranger or foreigner”.  The main idea of philoxenia is to be kind, friendly, and helpful to those in need, both saint and stranger alike.  In the first century, this meant believers would graciously open up their homes for one night, two at the most, to provide shelter, food, and resources.  In today’s culture, this is not always possible.  However, there are still other ways to be hospitable (especially to a stranger) without endangering yourself or your family.  Christians then and now need to watch out for people leeching off the generosity of God’s people.  The Didache, an early church ministry manual, written between AD 90 and 110; warned of people abusing the hospitality of believers.

There is nothing to be afraid of by being friendly and welcoming strangers.  If they are not angels, and they possibly intend to take advantage of you, God will give you the discernment and the wisdom to know what to do.  If they are angels, you will have a peace and benefit from their visit.  Here are a few examples:

Angels are messengers of God to give us

Divine revelation - (Genesis 18:10)

Instruction - (Matthew 1:20)

Direction - (Acts 8:26) 

Encouragement - (Judges 6:12)

Angels are ministering spirits for believers, sent by God to

Serve (Hebrews 1:14)

Deliver (Daniel 3:28)

Protect (Daniel 6:22)

Rescue (Acts 12:7-10)

Being obedient to demonstrate hospitality brings many more blessings and benefits to both you and others.  Your sharing and caring reflects God’s heart, opens opportunities to encounter divine purposes, strengthens the bond of fellowship, brings great joy, and reaps the rewards of sowing your love and kindness.  Don’t miss out –

FORGET NOT TO SHOW HOSPITALITY.