CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY
One of the greatest virtues of the Christian life is hospitality. The development of this character quality is one of the most important elements of spiritual maturity.
I. What is Christian Hospitality?
Definition: It is the opening of the heart and home to entertain friends and strangers with a view to ministering to their physical and spiritual needs in the name of Christ.
A. The words, “opening the heart” refer to your attitude about having people in your home.
What is your attitude when people come into your home?
Happy or sad
Gracious or resentful
Warm or cold
Pliable or stiff
Joyful or angry
Friendly or rude
Here’s some probing Questions
Do you make people feel “at home” in your home?
Do they feel welcome?
Do your guests feel comfortable in your home?
Do you view them as invited guests or as intruders?
Do guests brighten or spoil your day?
Do you resent unexpected company?
Do you complain or murmur about people coming?
Do you feel “imposed upon” and “used”?
B. The words, “opening of the home,” mean that you have an “open door” policy toward people in which the emphasis is not on the quality or condition of the furnishings or food but on creating a warm and friendlly atmosphere in the home. It is better to eat beans in a home where there is an atmosphere of love and acceptance than to eat a steak dinner in a home where there is an atmosphere of bitterness and resentfulness. Feeling welcomed and accepted has little to do with whether you are in a hovel or a palace. It is your attitude which determines whether or not your guests fill welcomed ( Prov. 17:1;21:9;25:24).
C. “With a view to ministering” means that the purpose of inviting people over to your home is to minister to them. Thus your purpose is not to impress people or show off your house or its furnishings. You should seek to be of benefit to them by providing a place, a time and an atmosphere where they can experience the joy of a Christian home and be led either to salvation or fellowship.
D. “Their physical needs” means that if someone needs a meal, provide it for them. Think of all the single adults who would love a home-cooked meal. Think of the sick or the elderly and their needs. There are those who need to “get away” from their home and could enjoy a time visiting and resting in your home. You could keep the children of a couple who need to get away as husband and wife (James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17).
E. “In the name of Christ” means that you view your acts of hospitality as being done not only “in the name o the Lord” (Mk. 9:41) and “to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) but also “to the Lord” Himself in a personal way (Matt. 25:34-40).
Once this is understood, then a lack of hospitality or a poor attitude while engaged in hospitality must be viewed as a personal rejection of Christ Himself. How you treat the Lord’s people is the surest proof of how you really feel about the Lord Himself. A consistent lack of hospitality is viewed by Christ as the clearest proof that a person is not saved but is destined for eternal punishment (Matt. 25:41-46). When you resent having people in your home, Christ takes this resentment personally.
II. Who is Supposed to be Hospitable?
A. Because hospitality is such an important virtue, the Elders must exemplify this character trait (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8). Their home must be open to the needs of people. A man who does not like people in his home or who is not able to make people feel welcomed is not suited for the office of Elder. The same holds true for any leadership position in the Church (1 Tim. 5:10). The character trait of hospitality is an essential requirement for leadership. All leaders are to be role models for the rest of the congregation to follow ( 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
B. All believers should develop the virtue of hospitality (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9). From the Old Testament (Gen. 10) to the New Testament (Philemon), godliness and hospitality have been synonymous. All of us have been called to minister to others. Jesus has left us the example and pattern to follow (1 John 2:6; 3:16-18; Rom. 15:3 etc.).
Conclusion
The Key to Hospitality
A right attitude + consistent action = a godly habit.
A godly habit + time = a Christ-like character quality.
Taken from "Cross Ministry"
