In Romans 12:9-13, the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, exhorts believers everywhere:
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Last year we checked in to the same hotel we’d stayed in comfortably several times before. The room we were assigned was noisy. Then we noticed a new Embassy Suites next door, a hotel chain we really enjoy. We stopped in to see whether any rooms were available. The first person we spoke with said the hotel was full. The hotel’s sales manager overheard us and asked if we’d like to see a room. We went with him and saw a beautiful room with flat screen televisions and a wonderful feel. He told us a room was available, and we could have it. We praised God the rest of the week.
We got to visit with him during that week and really enjoyed him. He was a big Texas football fan, and we discussed the wonderful two-year rivalry between two titans of college football, Texas and Ohio State.
This year, we decided to bring him an Ohio State Football tee shirt. I’m not sure he’s going to become a lifelong Buckeye fan, but he liked the tee shirt.
He talked about the philosophy of the hotel management company. Hospitality is their passion. He said there’s something “almost divine” about hospitality, creating a home for someone away from home. Little did he know he was being scriptural. (By the way, the employees here succeed at hospitality).
As people come to our church, let’s welcome them as if they’re at home. After all, hospitality is what we’re supposed to be “given to.” Think of hospitality as another way to give!