This one is a favorite one of mine. Jesus commands that we open up our hearts, homes, time, and services for others. The well being, provision, and comfort of others should be our aim.
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:36-40
“9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [a]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [b]dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:9-11
“2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Hebrews 13:2
“18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19
This can have a wide variety of applications. Reach out to those we know, and to strangers in need. Give of your time to listen, fellowship, and give cheerful; company to the lonely. Prepare and share a meal or dessert to bring nourishment and delight. Listen to the needs of others, and seek ways to fill them. Greet people as you pass them in the grocery market, and as you go about your daily work. Host events for specific people, such as a thank you party for police or first responders. Give a charity benefit. When you are at church, don’t just hang out with your close friends, but look around and hunt for visitors. Walk up to them, and greet them. Find ways to make others feel welcome and included.
Never underestimate the power of a smile. I know, this is for some reason an unpopular thing. we have all seen the models with the “Fashionable Pout”. And no one wants the pressure of feeling like they have to be a Polyanna all of the time. But seriously, what was so wrong about her character? Why has Polyanna become such a negative symbol of forced and pushy happiness? When you read the book you see that their was nothing fake or in your face about her. Contrary to popular belief, she didn’t hide from harsh reality, and was no stranger to hardship. However she chose to spend time nurturing an attitude of gratitude, and focused on helping others find joy and life, even in distress. Her kind heart often brought her to the lonely and grumpy. Her winsome spirit was captivating, and her brightness contagious. She wound up enlivening an entire town! Okay, so maybe in our lives, we will never become a town hero, but Jesus does not wish us to hide our light under a bushel. We are to reflect God’s hope. How can we do that, if we are pouty or glum? No this doesn’t mean that we can never show weakness. We are to show sympathy for others, and weep with those who weep. But we do not grieve without hope, and God brings joy and healing, and promises a future of paradise. We can find peace and light. So show joy and light. Smile at othersas you pass them. Smiule even just as you walk. You never know what it will do to comfort others, or how God will use your smile to rerach strangers, friends or newcomers at church. This is not thought of as the usual way to show hospitality, but it is foundation for everything else. Conversation, meals, events, services etc. often hinge on the host’s or hosstess’s ability to make others feel comfortable and at home. This is often done with a smile, genuine and unpretentious.
Use your speech to focus on God and others, and not yourself. Showing hospitality is not about showing off, or showing others how grand you are. Jesus warns the Pharisees about this. Luke 14:12-14 states: “12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the [a]maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Be humble and a good listener. Serve the needy, and don’t seek to be repaid.
As afore said mentioned, your aim should be the comfort and ease of others. So nurture ways to grow selflessness. Think of ways to start conversations, and keep them going. Practice and be ready to jump in when mishaps unfold. Know how to give a quick joke about some silly mistake you did, when someone tips over a glass on your beautiful white table cloth. Clean up messes with as little huff, puff, and commotion as possible. Cultivate a peacemakers spirit within you, and try to quell rising arguments that may get out of hand. If someone is hurt or sick, try to provide for their needs as much as possible. If someone has a handicap, make them feel useful in whatever ways you can, and proof the area to minimize the impact of the handicap. Special needs individuals do not want to constantly be reminded of their disabilities or feel unneeded. Seek to save others dignity. Rise to the occasion of the unexpected guest, and don’t carry on about not having enough. When you serve someone else, don’t make it seem like it is a hardship for you. This one can be hard if you are busy and harried, but “God loves a cheerful giver”.
Treat people as equals, and do not become a condescending or bossy “benefactor”. Become good with all age groups, remembering that all of life is precious in God’s eyes. When interacting with the elderly, be patient if they repeat or don’t remember. Be humble and respectful of their years on you, and try to avoid treating them like a two year old that you must babysit. Find out about their interests and listen to their experiences. Find ways for them to use their gifts even in unique ways. Remember that everyone wants to be useful and needed. Don’t let them just waste away. Their lives mean something. When Interacting with children, find ways to have fun. Learn what their favorite things are Listen to their fears, and bring comfort. Use your imagination to reach their world. Think of ways to help them use their energy and inquisitiveness. If you are a parent, never discipline in public; remember that children have feelings too.
Once again, this topic is a mountain to explore, so we will have to return to it another time. May God bless your day.
