Hospitality

“I was a stranger and ye took me in” Matt. 25:35.

My wife and I were raised in homes where our parents taught us the importance of hospitality. We were taught the importance of sharing.

Many years ago my wife’s mother had a man knock on her door and she answered the door to a man who said he was hungry. She told the man to wait on the front porch and she returned to give him a powdered sugar doughnut.

My mother-in-law sold baked goods. As the man began to eat the doughnut he choked on the powdered sugar. Naturally it frightened her but the good thing was as he ate the doughnut he thanked her and went on his way.

That happened many years ago when most people did not hesitate to answer the door to strangers. With the high crime rate today we think twice about opening the door unless we know who it is and rightfully so.

However, there are still many other ways that we can share out hospitality with others without answering our door. For example, when was the last time you took time to offer your help to a neighbor or friend without then asking for your help?

I have found that there are many elderly people who hesitate to ask others for help. Nothing is more satisfying than to see the expression on a person’s face when you show your hospitality to them in one way or another.

I always enjoy driving through Holmes County at harvest time. Our Amish friends work together to help one another. They accomplish much and in so doing they enjoy the fellowship each other. It is a great lesson to be learned for all of us.

Take time out to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or friend. Maybe to someone you don’t even know. How often do you share your hospitality at your church? Have you ever visited a church and nobody took time to speak to you or made you feel welcome in anyway? How do we expect our churches to grow without the spirit of hospitality?

Jesus went out of His way to show His love and concern for others. Should we do anything less?

One of the things I remember when I visit another church is the friendliness of the people. If they share their hospitality I feel like going back. If they do not I usually do not return.

The Bible says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. For thereby some have entertained angels unaware’ Heb. 13:2.

“There are those, who, like the seers of old, Can see the helpers God has sent, And how life’s rugged mountain side

Is white with many an angel tent.” — Anonymous.

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven” Matt. 5:16.

THINK ABOUT IT!