How Important was Hospitiality to Christ Jesus

My prayers for you today "Don't forget Hospitiality"

Happy are those who practice biblical hospitality because in so doing they are demonstrating their love for God (1 John 3:17–18).

Happy are those who pursue the love of strangers for they are choosing to obey their heavenly Father’s command and modeling his character (Rom. 12:13b).

Happy are those in church leadership who practice hospitality for they allow others to observe them in their homes where their character is most graphically revealed (1 Tim. 3:1–2; Titus 1:5–8).

Happy are those who include people of all cultures on their guests list for in this manner they are demonstrating the expansive love of their heavenly Father (John 3:16).

Happy are those who are willing to make the sacrifice to practice hospitality, for they understand that memories require time and energy to create (Ex. 12:1–14).

Happy are those who develop hospitality management skills, for in this way they are capable of being faithful stewards of all that the Lord has provided for them (1 Cor. 4:2).

Anthony Velazquez (left), a staff member with the United Methodist Council on Finance and Administration, participates in a small group discussion.A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.

From Practicing Hospitality by Dr. Patricia Ennis, Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock, Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.gnpcb.org/home/books/

Happy are those who intentionally extend hospitality to "the others"—singles, widows, the grieving, the hospitalized, those with dietary challenges, and those experiencing food insecurity—for they are choosing to live out biblical compassion (James 2:14–16).

Happy are those whose homes are both a place of refuge and a center for evangelism for they are glorifying their heavenly Father by their actions (1 Pet. 2:11–12) and fulfilling his instructions "to do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5).

Happy are those who have consecrated their lives to their heavenly Father, for they are then capable of practicing true biblical hospitality (2 Cor. 4:7).

Happy are those who have consecrated their china (plates) to their Lord’s service for they have the opportunity of helping others to "taste and see that the LORD is good" (Ps. 34:8).

Happy are those who do not become disillusioned in practicing biblical hospitality for they understand that in due time they will reap if they do not grow weary (Gal. 6:9).

Happy are those who acknowledge that they are unable to practice biblical hospitality in their own strength, for by this means they learn that the Lord’s power overcomes their weaknesses and allows them to become vessels used for his honor and glory (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:13).

"He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. And his offering was one silver plate, whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering" (Nu. 1:12–13). .. "Hospitality and Your Home," an initial response could be, "This section does not apply to me—I do not have china." That may be true, but you do have vessels in which you serve food. These vessels may be bone china, stoneware, earthenware, plastic, stainless steel, pewter, enamelware, silver, wood, or paper. The material from which our vessels are made is not the question; the question is, have the vessels been consecrated to our Master’s use? Your prayer might read something like this:

Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that challenges me to love both friends and strangers. Please help me to be excited about welcoming them into my home. Thank you for my home—may it always be a place of refuge, safety, protection, security, and refreshment for those who enter it.

As well, I ask that it will be a center for evangelism in which I will at all times be ready to communicate the relationship I share with you to those who cross its threshold. Realizing that I cannot extend biblical hospitality without your strength, I ask that you empower me so that I am a useful vessel for your kingdom. Thank you for the material vessels you supplied—I consecrate each one to your service. I am grateful for the time and money to invest in this occasion. Please multiply both so that my guests will see your hand of provision.

God is Love 1John 4:16