By Cheryl Mah
The word “hospitality” comes from two Greek words: philos which means “friend” and xenos which means “stranger”. Put together, the word is “philoxenos” which literally means “loving the stranger” or to be “generous to guests”.
Scripture calls on us to show the love of God to others (Romans 12:13) and we are required to do so. As Christians, we are instructed to not only be hospitable to friends and family, but also to strangers, outsiders, and even our enemies (Proverbs 25:21). In fact, biblical hospitality is a direct act of service, love, and obedience to God (Hebrews 13:16). And when it comes to hospitality, simplicity is a great place to begin.
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1.Hospitality need not be perfect
In Luke 10: 38–42, we are told the story of Martha and Mary. While Martha opened her home to Jesus, her heart was distracted with preparing her home instead of focusing on the person visiting her home. On the other hand, Mary understood that Jesus was the most important thing, and that they should be focusing on Him and His needs.
We only need to possess a heart for others – and from there meaningful hospitality flows. Hospitality is not about showcasing what a perfect host we are, or what possessions we have; it is meant to demonstrate whom we follow ie. God. Being hospitable is about showing love, grace, and warmth to the person to whom we have extended the invitation (Isaiah 58:7).
Christ is the cornerstone of our homes (Ephesians 2:20), and it is because of Him that our homes are holy and wonderful. Do not feel stressed extending an invitation even if the home is a little messy; by letting our imperfections shine we allow our guests to let down their guard and be real. If we let go of the need for perfection or approval, we can simply be present with the people that God has entrusted to us, and genuine connections can be forged.
2.Offer hospitality without resentment
Instead of having an attitude that strangers should be grateful for whatever we offer (1 Peter 4:9), and that they should change their preferences to suit us, we should accommodate ourselves to what they need. Remember that the heart of the Gospel is rooted in hospitality, and God’s divine nature is love (1 John 4:10). For where we are at enmity with God due to our sins, we have been saved and reconciled to God by the hospitality and death of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18).
While it is human nature to be held back by a sense of self-preservation, shutting our homes or ourselves to others means we are not imitating the love and hospitality of Christ (1 John 4:7). The display of true hospitality allows the light of God to shine from our hearts, so that His love is readily and effectively transferred from us onto others.
3.Be hospitable even through hard times
Too often, while we are experiencing difficult circumstances, we tend to become focused on ourselves and our problems. By channelling our focus on caring for an outsider, our focus can be less inward and more outward. If we hide ourselves away and only invite others in when we are feeling comfortable, we prevent them from witnessing the strength of our eternal hope amidst our distress (Romans 8:24).
When we open our lives to our guests – as difficult as it is – they may be compelled to share about their own trials, and this may lead to spiritual conversations. Showing hospitality even while we are suffering allows these relationships to get deeper, faster – and we help others to realise that it is God who comforts us in our suffering (Matthew 11:28). This is also a perfect way to reinforce that all earthly sufferings are temporal, and that our forever home is not merely built of brick and mortar; we are living for a kingdom far greater than our personal kingdom (2 Corinthians 4: 16–18).
Hospitality is about serving strangers, loving them, and attending to their needs. The focus is never on the meal, nor the space, nor what you have or do not have. Hospitality takes a lot of time, effort and sometimes even money; our lives and hearts are inadvertently put on display –this indeed is a very high cost, but so is the cost of the God’s grace which we have richly and freely received. In choosing to pay the cost of biblical hospitality, we are choosing to focus on receiving our Master’s praise (Matthew 25:21, 23). As Jesus has reminded us in Revelation 22:12: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
REFLECTION
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Reflection Questions:
- What holds you back from extending hospitality to others?
- In what ways have you shown hospitality to strangers or even your enemies?
- Moving forward, how do you intend to practise more hospitality towards others?