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Be Hospitable to One Another
The text for this article comes from 1 Peter 4:9, “Be hospitable one to another, without complaint.”
Hospitality has been demonstrated many times throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Hospitality can be defined as “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly and generous way.” In the New Testament the Greek word literally means “love of strangers.” Hospitality is a virtue that is both commanded and commended throughout the Scriptures.
In Genesis 18:1-8, Abraham saw three strangers, ran to them, bowed and offered them rest and refreshment. He also gave them a large meal. In Job 31:32, Job had opened his home to travelers.
Numerous examples of hospitality exist in the New Testament. The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came a priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine, and set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.’ Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor to him that fell among thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”
Lydia in Acts 16:14-15: “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, ‘If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.’ And she constrained us.”
We are commanded to be hospitable.
Deuteronomy 15:7: “If there is among you a poor man of one of your brothers inside your gates in your land which Jehovah your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother.”
Romans 12:13: “contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
Hebrews 13:2: “Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Titus 1:7-9: “For the overseer (Elder) must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
1st Timothy 3:2-3: “An overseer (Elder) then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentile, peaceable, free from the love of money.”
What are the consequences for not being hospitable?
Matthew 25:41-43: “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you have me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.”
As a deacon at Southside for over 40 years, I still remember when the lectures started and the fact that for several years the visiting preachers actually stayed at various members’ homes rather than at local hotels. Even today, they still eat evening meals with members.
There are many hospitable members at Southside who have a passion for doing good and helping others. Several members have taken guests into their homes offering lodging and food for extended periods of time. They saw a need for help and supplied it. We should remember their good works and strive to follow their examples.
