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