Showing hospitality is such an amazing way to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He calls us all to show hospitality.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angles unawares.”
Hebrews 13:2
Related: How My Church Thrived During Covid
What is hospitality?
When most people think about hospitality they think of having people over and being “the hostess with the mostess”. You don’t even have to have people into your home to show hospitality. But hospitality isn’t just about inviting strangers in. You can be hospitable to people you know, your neighbors, or strangers.
I would say that the best way to explain biblical hospitality is that hospitality is showing others love. To show biblical hospitality you put the needs of others above your own and go out of your way to show others love.
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
-Romans 12:13-14
The bible commands us to share with God’s people, followed by a statement about practicing hospitality. Sharing with your church family is an amazing way to show hospitality. This verse also shows us that hospitality isn’t something that can be mastered. Hospitality is something that needs to be practiced, and worked on regularly.
Showing hospitality isn’t something that exclusively applies to your home. I have a dear friend who is amazing at showing hospitality even when she isn’t at her house. She has this inviting nature that draws people in. Because one of her love languages is physical touch she welcomes friends with hugs.
Related: Why Sharing Frustrations Is A Biblical Practice
How can you show hospitality?
Listen
When you are around others make sure you are taking the time to truly listen to what they have to say. Active listening is a skill that most everyone needs to work at. Ask questions and the next time you meet with them, follow up on things they had discussed.
Food
You don’t have to have people in your home to be able to share food. You can go out to coffee with a friend, or bring a new mom or sick friend a meal. If you want to have others over serving snacks while your friends hang out is a great practice of hospitality.
Gifts
Giving gifts doesn’t have to be a big expense. You can give a young family hand-me-down clothes, or bring christmas cookies to your neighbors. You can give a small gift to an acquaintance, or even pay it forward at the coffee shop drive through.
Visiting
You can show hospitality by visiting the elderly, or the imprisoned. This can be a great way to show God’s love to someone who may be overlooked. When I was in high school, we spent the day before Thanksgiving going throughout the town. One of those days, the group I was with went to visit the elderly and bake cookies. They were so glad to have visitors and people to talk to over a plate of cookies.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
-Matthew 25:35-36
Jesus tells us that when we show hospitality we are showing hospitality to God himself. By showing hospitality we are showing God’s love to others and obeying his commandments.
