Hospitality, my conclusions.

(Pictures by Allposters.com)

The views in this lengthy post are a culmination of Biblical interpretation, Alexander Strauch’s The Hospitality Commands, sermons, numerous comments and conversations on the subject.

 

What is Biblical Hospitality?

Biblical Hospitality is a command and a virtue whereby to fan the flames of love and strengthen the christian family we share our most prized possessions:  our Gospel, family, home, finances, food, privacy and our time.

Hebrews 13:1,2  1 Peter 4:8a-9   Romans 12:13   3 John 5-8.

 

Who is to be hospitable?

It is clear the hospitality command is given to all, therefore all should practice hospitality unless providentially hindered. 1 Peter 4 8-9.

In 1 Timothy 3:2 the command is also clear that overseers must be hospitable not only as a qualification for eldership but as an example to those he is shepherding.

How are we to be Hospitable?

1 Peter 4 v 9 exhorts us to be hospitable gladly.  As believers we should be thankful, especially if we are not hindered in this virtue to be able to show our love for others through this means.

Who are we to be hospitable to?

Being hospitable to our families and friends is a great way of strengthening relationships within our families and those whom we interact with.  Biblically we are also commanded to show forth hospitality to our neighbours and strangers. Hebrews 13. 3 John 5.

When should we not be hospitable?

Don’t forget scripture does provide us with guidelines of when not to be hospitable.  Two examples given are to false teachers 2 John 10 and an unrepentant believer 1 Corinthians 5:11.  We must be prudent as to who we welcome in our homes.

Whose role in the home is it to be hospitable?

Of course everyone thinks it’s the ladies  job but hospitality within the home should involve all the family. Yes perhaps generally the mother or the ladies in the home do take on the role of meal preparation but to cultivate an atmosphere of love for others in hospitality is to have every family member involved. Children can aid in cleaning up the home and preparing the meal/table and the men can be sure to carry out all the odd jobs so that things run smoothly for those at the fore. 

Hinderances to being hospitable.

There are many reasons why people don’t practice hospitality even though they may agree it necessary.

Those who are providentially hindered:  Some of these have been mentioned in previous posts, they include those who suffer from sickness, don’t have a home to use for hospitality.

Unbiblical hinderances:

Pride:  ”I couldn’t possibly have that family for lunch as they may destroy my home”.  

“They wouldn’t find my kitchen skills up to standard”,  

“My dining area needs a make-over before I could entertain”,

Selfishness:  ”Sunday afternoon is family time, I couldn’t possibly share it with others”,

“It costs so much to provide for the larger families”,  

“I’d rather get to bed early”.

Procrastinating: “I’ll get round to that….tomorrow”.

 

 

 

Many people ‘need’ the ministry of hospitality, not only the lonely but the neglected, troubled, new converts, young people and old people alike.  We need to realise that hospitality is not a means to meet our social needs but should be practiced in a sacrificial way, not to impress others with our homes or entertaining skills.

Matthew 20:27   “And whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave”.

Reasons to be hospitable:

1.  Obedience to God’s Command.  1 Peter 4:9

2.  A means of showing forth love.  Hebrews 13:1,2.

3.  A supporting ministry. 3 John 8.

4.  The blessing reaped from having Missionaries and Pastors in your home.

5.  The example set to your children of love and how to show it practically.

6.  To be active in using your spiritual gifts, mercy, serving, giving, evangelizing, helps. 1Peter 4:10.

7.  To be an example to others.  Romans 16:1,2.

 

 

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Some questions which came up in previous posts:

Does hospitality always have to involve the home?

Contrary to what I say in the comments of this post I believe it does.  All Biblical examples of hospitality are based in the home. The definition of hospitality suggests that hospitality is given in ones home.

Is taking someone out for dinner being hospitable?

Personally I think it may be used as an excuse for not being hospitable in your home.  If taking someone out for dinner is your only means of reaching out to others it is commendable and certainly shows much love and generosity towards others, but by my understanding of the Biblical definition of hospitality it is not hospitality. 

 

Is taking someone a plate of muffins, visiting in hospital, giving produce from the garden being hospitable?

When I read Romans 12:13 I see a list of ways to serve.  The one before “given to hospitality” is “distributing to the needs of the saints”, I believe the above methods come into this area and while are commendable are seperate from giving hospitality.

Does hospitality always mean a meal?

As mentioned in the comments of a previous post, I don’t believe hospitality always means a meal.  It can mean no more than an open door and a glass of water or perhaps in our day a coke.  The fact that the door is open and glad to receive visitors wether they are expected or not (Acts 10:23) shows the root of hospitality, which is love.

 

 

The Challenge

So the Bible is clear, as followers of Christ we are to be hospitable, (unless providentially hindered) we are to open our home up not only to the friends and relations but also to our neighbours and those who are strangers.

So how do we do this?

3 Suggestions

1.  Prayer, make the need for hospitality part of your prayer time.

2.  Lean on Christ.  Only in His strength 1 Peter 4:11.  Which of the fruit of the spirit do you need to enable you to be more hospitable.

3.  Plan.  Hospitality doesn’t just happen.  We need to seek out those in need, schedule time in our planners and have everyone in our home help out as appropriate.

 

(Pictures by Allposters.com)

 

Elaine

 

Help please….

 

A dear friend has passed on a retired sewing machine.  To say I’m a novice is an understatement.

Can anyone refer me to a few good web-sites or blogs for the beginner sewer?

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Elaine

So…..?

I’m hoping to publish my final post on hospitality soon but what do you think of my new house?

I mean who couldn’t be hospitable with a blog header like that

All thanks for the design and technical expertise goes to Karen at Simply A Musing Blog.

Thanks Karen - I owe you one…. or two.

Some day Karen is going to be a professional blog designer and you folks will have to admit you first saw her work here…..

A rather stripy and swirly Mummymac.

A few more thoughts…. and another question..

After yesterdays post and the subsequent comments I have just kept on thinking about hospitality. I felt the need to delve deeper and so last night I listened to a couple of sermons on the subject. (Read that as, in bed way too late )

Quick re-cap - Alexander Strauch’s book The Hospitality Commands (my recent read) takes the view that hospitality is to be performed in the home and is commanded to all Christians.

This posed some problems for me as I believe there certainly are legitimate reasons when some Christians couldn’t be hospitable. To look at this in more detail check out my last post.

I also want to say here that I agree with Mr Strauch’s book as far as it goes. As well as what I mentioned in my last post, he also has an excellent chapter entitled Helpful Hints in Practicing Hospitality which includes a list of further reading and also an excellent study guide.

I think reading the comments on yesterday’s post and listening to some more Biblical instruction on the topic I have come to the conclusion that the problem is our definition of Hospitality.

Hospitality isn’t a word that’s used much to-day and if it is used it’s more in the context of the catering trade as opposed to the home.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines hospitality as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers.

So what about the Good Samaritan? Was he hospitable or was he just good?

He wasn’t receiving the stranger in his home, even though his act was generous neither was he entertaining him.

One sermon I listened to described hospitality in this way -

“Meeting the needs of the people who cross our path”

I think this is a fair description but the question is - IS THIS HOSPITALITY?

or

Is “meeting the needs of the people who cross our path” just showing forth the Fruit of the Spirit?

Kindness, Goodness, Love?

In the list for qualification for elders in 1 Timothy 3:2 we have “hospitable”.

If a man was being examined for the eldership but fell into one of my scenarios in my last post (and therefore was justified in not being hospitable in his home) would that disqualify him? I believe it may if you take hospitality to mean fellowship in the home.

Interestingly if we take it to mean a man who “meets the needs of those who cross his path” or a man who is a “friend to strangers”, he wouldn’t necessarily be disqualified if he met these requirements.

As usual I’m interested in your thoughts as I believe not only is hospitality a forgotten art among many Christians but also I am searching as to what falls into the whole realm of hospitality.

I have more to say but I’m saving it for another post.

Elaine