Don’t Impress, BLESS!
Don’t Impress, BLESS!
In your experience, what’s the difference between entertaining and showing true hospitality? I have pondered this topic in my recent study of biblical hospitality, only to conclude that the difference between the two may be found in the goal and focus of the host and hostess. If the host's goal is to impress their guests with a fancy meal and an elaborate table setting, this is entertaining, with the sole focus centered on you. However, if the goal is to care for your guests and focus your attention on them, then you are showing genuine hospitality.
In recent years, I’ve tried to create a ‘welcoming’ home for strangers by not striving for perfection in the appearance of my living space and my cooking. The irony is that I now enjoy extending genuine hospitality much more than I ever did when I tried so hard to impress my guests with my hosting prowess.
Hospitality comes from the Greek word philoxenia. Philo means ‘affection’ or ‘love,’ and xenia comes from xenos, which means ‘stranger.’ Hospitality means showing affection to strangers. We openly show hospitality when we bless our loved ones with special meals, which are designed to focus on them and not on us who prepared the meal. But the true example of biblical hospitality is seen when we feed or house people with joy, without expecting praise or compliments in return. God places a high value on our willingness to extend kindness to others through hospitality, as seen in Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9. Jesus extended this command in Luke 14, when He challenged us to invite those who cannot repay us, saying we will be blessed.
Let us Walk in His Way.
Dear Lord, thank You for modeling hospitality by being very clear that You are preparing a place for all believers to dwell when we meet You in Heaven. You commanded us to entertain strangers, because we may be entertaining Your angels! Please give us hearts that desire to meet the needs of others, including strangers, as we follow Your lead. Help us reach out in love and hospitality, just as You showed us how, when You walked this Earth. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel
author of “Walk in His Way” for
Carry the Light Ministries
