Hospitality

The original Greek word for hospitality is the word “philoxenia” which translates “love of strangers.” The prefix philos translates “beloved, dear, friendly” So, I think it’s safe to say that we should be willing to treat strangers as if they were our beloved friends, to welcome them with arms wide open. Now, I’m not just saying to go out into the street and bring people into your home (although if the Lord has directed you to do this, then that is an entirely different matter altogether), but bear with me in my explanation to get a clear understanding of what hospitality should look like. In New Testament times, Christians had no formal church buildings like we do today. They were subject to gather in one another’s homes and for many of them this meant meeting in the homes of complete strangers and possibly traveling quite a distance to accomplish this. So, hospitality at it’s core is welcoming the weary traveler in with arms opened in love. Hebrews tells us one reason why we should be hospitable.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

I want us to think about times that we host. Are we pointing our guests towards the character of Christ? As our guests look around in those moments that they are spending time with us, are they seeing our earthly possessions and talents on display, or are they seeing and feeling the love of Jesus Christ in a very real and tangible way? Our moments of hospitality should never be used to showcase what we have acquired on this earth in terms of possessions or our talents in the kitchen or the art of homemaking. Hospitality was never meant to be about us. The practice of hospitality is more about being a servant then it is about being a host. Hospitality is nothing more than our hearts focused on the Lord, sharing His love with others around us. Hospitality is servanthood at it’s finest, pulling out all the stops in order to make someone know that they are love not just by us, but more importantly by their heavenly Father! Hospitality is ALWAYS about bringing glory to our Heavenly Father.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3 - 4

Value Others
How many of us really value others better than ourselves, I mean truly believe that others should be placed in a greater position of honor then we should? What about a complete stranger? Would we still feel that they should be given the seat of honor? I don’t know about you, but I know that I still have quite a ways to go before I will master the art of putting others in a place of honor, especially when my flesh is secretly wishing someone would do that for me. Yes, I did just admit that my old nature wishes that someone would come along and make me feel special. Here is the kicker, Christ wants us to set aside the desires of our flesh and make others feel loved and special in the eyes of Christ. He wants us to showcase the immense love that He has for them, not our selfish ambitions and vain conceits. There is no room for our flesh in this area of hospitality. The goal of Christ was and still is to serve others and this should be our goal in hospitality.

“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)

Call to action

Has today’s post challenged your thoughts on hospitality? This area of hospitality has been truly eye opening, especially when it is put in the context of this “love of strangers” that we are to have. Let’s work hard at making our next times of hosting flow from a place of wanting to showcase the tangible love of Christ to others. Let’s allow the love of Christ to flow out of us so that others will see Christ and not us.  

Lord, thank you for this lesson on hospitality. Help us to remember that when we are practicing hospitality that it’s not about us and our talents. Help us to remember it’s not about our material possessions, but that it is about you. Help us to bring glory to your name in the times when we are practicing hospitality. Help us to be the tangible evidence to others of what your love looks like, feels like, sounds like and acts like. Work in our hearts and lives in such a way that when others look at us, all they see is you. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ.


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