Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Biblical Hospitality

Every Wednesday night our house is busting at the seams with youth and young adults.  Around 730p they start filtering in (sometimes even a little before) and they stay well past 1030p.  Wednesday night is our night of service and open hospitality.  I make the very best effort to provide not only dinner (sometimes just a light one or just desserts), but a godly and welcoming atmosphere for them.

And you know?  Something's gotta be going okay.  Because, they keep coming back. And I love it!

One of the things I'm passionate about is hospitality.  I may not be from the "Real South" but I delight in that Southern Hospitality Charm that characterizes a lot of southern states (though why FL has taken a culture of its own and decided not to take on the culture of "The South" is beyond me!). 

I believe it is so very important for every homemaker to practice hospitality as per Biblical Instruction.

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." --1 Peter 4:7-11

I find it interesting that as Peter admonishes the Church to "offer hospitality without grumbling" at the same time he speaks of the end times ministries. Hospitality is a lost art that must be refound in the homes and heart of godly women. 

We live in a society that tells us it's okay to get away with being greedy and selfish with our resources, because... well, sometimes, we just don't have enough of them to merit the sharing.  If that isn't upside-down and topsy turvy from the Kingdom of God, then I don't know what is. 

And I understand the worry.  I won't partner with it, but I can understand it.  Living frugally (for us) often times means that our grocery list (and budget!) is quite limited and will often reach for just the four of us.  Add an extra five to six people coming to visit us weekly on Wednesdays and our faith is now stretched.

But, here's the beautiful part of this entire hospitality journey.  I find that in giving my humble loaf of bread and two fish, the Christ who called me to minister hospitality multiplies the offering and there is never any lack. Our family has discovered that if we give in our need, He is faithful and has never left us forsaken.  We have ministered out of our home in hospitality at least once a week and our family has never gone hungry.  Through high times (two income budgets for example!) to the lowest of the lowest times (had a family of 6 staying here with us on an empty pantry and empty pocket!). 

My God is a good God who loves to give good gifts.  And the more I give, the more I become like Him.  Scripture is clear in instructing us to practice hospitality.  It is also clear in showing us how Faithful, Good and what a wonderful Provider He is!

Now, it's time to put that to the test... Who will you practice hospitality to in your home this week?
*This post is linked up with Titus2esdays and Homemaking Wednesday

9 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting. This has been on my mind lately and on my personal prayer list for a while and is bearing so much fruit for us! Hospitality is not just about allowing people to visit you, but WELCOMING them. I love having family visit, but with drop in guests I've often had an attitude of "you're welcome to come, but you'll have to take me/us/our home as it is, I'm not putting myself and my family out for you."

    But as I've prayed about it, I see this is from a very ungrateful heart. I wasn't appreciating that we were blessed without deserving--I was feeling possessive of "things" that rightfully belong to God and were shared with me from His bounty. A grateful, hospitable heart DOES put itself out for others, just like the Lord put Himself out for us. True hospitality is a heart issue and creates a beautiful home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is such a fantastic post. I was just reading a book about that "southern hospitality" last night. And your right hospitality is a lost art that this world should really get back to. "Give and it shall be given unto you..." Luke 6:38. I will be looking forward to your next post.
    Blessing Mary

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a great post, Nicole, and something that has been on my heart lately. Some families at our church have been going through a lot, and I think in order to minister to them to the best of our ability, we need to open our home and actually *get to know them*.

    Thanks for the encouragement, lady!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome post. God is so faithful. Before moving to Orlando we use to have a group of friends who would come over weekly and fellowship. We didn't have any money to really buy anything. One night of the many times that God provided for us, we had a big group come over. I cooked rice and ground meat. I saw a miracle happen that night as everyone was fed and we had left overs. God truly never forsakes us nor lets us go hungry. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for the lovely post. I, too, love to have guests in my home. I am a born and bred Maine girl and I think that the north has gotten a false reputation in this area. I know many people who are very hospitable up here! :)
    Thanks again for the encouraging post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a wonderful post! I positively adore cooking for others and cooking for a crowd is one of my favorite things. Biblical hospitality can take many different forms if we keep our eyes open for the opportunities.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a lovely post! I'm trying to practice more hospitality myself! Come visit me sometime at http://ellagunter.blogspot.com/

    God bless,

    Ella

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm now your newest follower!

    This is such an awesome post! I really want to practice offering hospitality more. It's something God's been laying on my heart. Reading this wonderful post reminds me that it doesn't have to be extravagant or expensive to really share hospitality and impact others. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Monica @ theatypicalhousewife.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have never friends visit my home. Maybe it's time I stop worrying so much.

    ReplyDelete