The word hospitality in the New Testament grows out of a Greek prefix related to love (philo). It denotes meaning related to attitudes, showing friendliness, and may refer to family, associates or neighbors, even strangers. The attitude is that which develops a fondness for guests, a kind of delight in one’s attitude that relates to good feelings and personal interest in others. Presumably this interest becomes influential in the insights and conduct of the persons receiving the hospitality. It affects the human values of the hospitable person or group that may influence spiritual interests and concerns of all. Hospitality makes and cultivates friends, but is more, much more. It is means for ministry that makes receiving persons feel they are valued because of the personal treatment they receive, and the practical applications that assist those receivers on their way. To give a nurturing gift of any kind to a person or group for achieving a worthy purpose is an act of hospitality. It is also an act of empathy (feeling in with others). Hospitality is, when genuine, not faked for personal aggrandizement, but shows empathy for others.
The Apostle Paul reminded Titus that pastors should be persons who are lovers of hospitality. (Titus 1:8) He listed several features to Timothy that should be in the pastor’s job description. Given to hospitality, is one of them. (1 Timothy 3:2) Some pastors are not so given, but many are, as my own experience well illustrates after more than fifty years of travel in international ministries. Missionaries are especially effective in the uses of hospitality. Laymen are presumed to follow the leadership of the shepherds of the flock, and practice hospitality in similar ways. All Christians are to be included in ministry, and accent their gifts to accomplish meaningful influence that will bear both natural and immortal consequences. Common hospitality is that meaningful.
The Apostle Peter seemed to know that hospitality was not as easy as it appears in words. It is a homely gift, which is to say that it does not require great talent to achieve, or education to design, or large resources to accomplish. It simply should be done, and done with appropriate attitude, both personal and spiritual. Peter warned against a grudging attitude. It takes time, it takes work, it takes minimal resources, it takes unselfishness, it takes involvement, and it takes meaning – all of which require some preparation. It is not something that is simply nice to do, but something important to do. It is worthy of an attitude of prayer to function properly and effectively.
In our era there is limited hospitality. There are persons who have never expressed their faith through hospitality. They never had outsiders in their homes, or found some way to extend friendship and interest in others. There is a kind of ignorance about the matter, perhaps selfishness. During a five years period of ministry, my wife and I invited different seniors to come to our home after church on alternate Sunday nights. We ate the magnificent offerings of my wife, and related to each other, concluding in prayer. From time to time, I heard from their children what that friendly, social event meant to their parents. There are so many ways in which the gift may be given that we have no excuse for evasion. For some there may be larger use of the gift than for others. All persons can do something, perhaps creative in fulfilling the meaning of hospitality to the human/divine purpose. Hospitality offers encouragement and fellowship for meaning to life and ministry. The decline of hospitality which has become common has also contributed to a different life context which seems to be less influential for the ministry of Christians. Those willing for the inconvenience will find reward in it. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020