For many years I served as an itinerant Bible teacher and traveled to different cities to teach God’s Word. Usually, I would stay in a local church family’s home during my visit—believers in Jesus whom I met for the very first time. Showering me with simple creature comforts, these hospitable people gave me “a home away from home.” I often marveled that my hosts would risk inviting me, a complete stranger, into their lives.
Encouraging believers who were suffering because of persecution (1 Peter 1:6, 4:12), Peter reminded his readers of things that are “most important of all” (1 Peter 4:8). He encouraged believers to “continue to show deep love for each other” (1 Peter 4:8)—to unconditionally forgive one another; “cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (1 Peter 4:9); diligently use your spiritual gifts to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10); and to deliberately seek to glorify God in everything you do (1 Peter 4:11).
In welcoming me into their homes, believers in Jesus did more than just show me Christian love; they obeyed the command to “offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9 NIV). The word hospitality in Greek literally means, “being friendly to strangers.” Peter exhorted Christians to provide food and lodging to traveling Bible teachers and to believers who had been displaced by persecution.
Twice in the book of Hebrews we’re reminded to be hospitable, suggesting that it’s something that’s often neglected. “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2) and “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (13:16), and bring glory to Him (1 Peter 4:11).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 1:1-6
More:
Paul listed hospitality as a qualification for spiritual leadership (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). Why is it a necessary prerequisite for leaders?
Next:
What are some ways you can practice hospitality today? Would you consider opening your home to a visiting believer? Why or why not?
eppistle on May 12, 2011 at 5:52 am
Thanks for the reminder to be friendly to strangers. If we’re only friendly to our friends, it’s not too impressive – even the members of the Mafia do that (Matthew 5:46-47). But if we are friendly to strangers, we may actually been kind to an angel without realizing it (Hebrews 13:2). So today let’s treat the strangers in our lives like we would treat angels.
lindagma on May 12, 2011 at 6:43 am
I see an underlying message here. Yes, we are showing hospitality to those who need it…but we are also denying self. We have to put aside our own activities…things that need to be done…our privacy…forget about self and look to the needs of others. It can be the most rewarding act of service. I’ve even heard in the secular perspective…the best way to deal with depression is to get busy helping someone else. Isn’t that what Jesus taught…have a servants heart.
GChoo on May 12, 2011 at 8:37 am
I remember a sermon that my church minister had preached quite some time ago about hospitality. He reminded us that as christians, hospitality is something that we can do any time for one another and strangers.
Many a times, we think we need to have a big and very tidy house, and be a great communicator to welcome anyone. NO, all we need is a loving and welcoming heart. Some christians may say that they don’t have this gift of hospitality. No doubt we are not born with every gifts. But, if we have a willing heart, we can pray for this gift. And, i am sure our God will be very pleased to provide us and bless us with the strength and wisdom to be a wonderful host to bring glory to His Name (1 Peter 4:11).
K.T., thanks for the reminder.
loananna on May 12, 2011 at 10:02 am
Just this past week the newspaper posted an article of a 9 year old girl being abducted from her home then thrown from the car about 3 miles from her home in the middle of the night. She went to about 6 or more homes knocking on the door for help but nobody would open the door, for fear of a scam and if they let her in others might hurt them. One person did open and called for the police, but it makes me wonder what would i have done???
Are we all really living with so much fear that when somebody knocks on door in the middle of the night we don’t do anything. This poor girl was asking for help saying she was cold. She now is in the hospital in critical condition from her injuries and no suspect apprenhended. I will ask for prayers to go out to this child for healing and the spirit of Jesus really be in our hearts today. I pray for myself and everyone to stop living a life of fear but trust in the Lord.
daisymarygoldr on May 12, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Christ Himself was a stranger to His brethren, an alien to His mother’s children (Psalms 69:8). By inviting the stranger into our homes, we invite Jesus in (Matt 25:35). Jesus is not talking about the stranger on the street. Of course we should care for the poor and needy of this world. We are told to show hospitality specifically to strangers who are followers of Christ i.e. His brothers and sisters.
Based on political, social, cultural, ethnic, or economic differences, brothers and sisters can feel distanced from or even rejected by others in the family of God. Jesus Christ accepted all. And Christ-like leaders will not accept some at the expense of alienating others. Christian hospitality makes people feel like they’re not strangers, like they belong—to make guests feel at home.
A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to welcome a missionary that we met for the first time. It was unexpected and GChoo as you mentioned, I was mentally making all kinds of excuses of not being in the mood to cook and the home not big and clean enough to host a stranger. Putting aside all doubts, when we emailed our friends, some 25 people showed up despite it being a working day. We had a wonderful time listening to the underground work that brother is doing in a country that persecutes Christians. Our faith was inspired and he felt refreshed by the warmth of our love. Hospitality provides us with ways to demonstrate our love in actions and encourages others to serve Christ. Hence, it is a necessary prerequisite for spiritual leadership.
Diotrephes is an example of a Christian who loves to be the leader, yet refused to welcome the traveling teachers (3 John 9-10). Those who take the good news to others have given up everything. And even though I am not called to teach, yet when I show hospitality to evangelists and teachers, I become a partner in the good work of teaching the truth (3 John 5-8).
The truth is—hospitality is not optional for the believer. It is a command. Remember, based on our “love of the stranger or alien”, the sheep will be separated from the goats. Our good works of hospitality will prove that we are God’s children (3 John 11). If our love is to be without hypocrisy, then we must always be eager to practice hospitality (Romans 12:9, 13).
pjp on May 13, 2011 at 4:05 am
Thanks very much k.t.sim, your article itself is a full meal, plus all you bloggers makes a feast, Glory to God.
winn collier on May 13, 2011 at 7:26 am
Hospitality from others is one of the most powerful ways I have received grace. Thanks for this.