Showing Love Through Hospitality

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

Hospitality should be a trait of all Christians, because whenever we display it, we minister to the Lord.

If you are a Christian, your responsibility to love others does not stop with fellow believers. The apostle Paul is very explicit and direct about this: “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men” (1 Thess. 5:15). “All men” includes even your enemies. The “strangers” mentioned in today’s verse can refer to unbelievers as well as believers. The writer of Hebrews is saying we often won’t know the full impact hospitality will have; therefore, we should always be alert and diligent because our actions may even influence someone toward salvation.

The last part of Hebrews 13:2, “some have entertained angels without knowing it,” further underscores the point that we can never know how significant or helpful an act of hospitality might be. Abraham had no idea that two of the three men passing by his tent were angels and that the third was the Lord Himself, but he still went out of his way to demonstrate hospitality (Gen. 18:1-5). The primary motivation is still love, for the sake of those we help and for the glory of God.

The Lord Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40). As Christians, when we feed the hungry, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit someone in prison, we serve Christ. If we turn our backs on people, believers or unbelievers, who have real needs, it is the same as turning our backs on Him (v. 45). Loving hospitality is therefore more than an option—it is a command.

Pray that God would give you a greater desire to show hospitality and that you could minister it to a specific person.

Write down the positive ways in which Abraham handled his opportunity to show love to strangers. How well did Sarah handle this situation? How does the example of her attitude relate to Hebrews 13:2?

Most assume that hospitality is a “gift” that only a few have.

I personally think not. It is a command to all believers, and a fruit of the Holy Spirit and the life of the Lord Jesus in each of us.

I believe that the reason it is noted as a command here is that our tendency is to think this is something only a few should practice, and it is not so - but rather something we all should practice.

It is simply the love of Christ expressed - and that love is not limited to just other Christians, but for all. Even Muslims.

It is far easier for extroverts to practice hospitality. We who are introverts are very protective of our privacy and prefer being with only those who are close to us. But the command does not exclude us.

Hospitality - the practice of welcoming others into our homes - is a sadly missing characteristic of Christians, and a vital aspect of our showing the love of God to others. The word “practice” means to do something frequently, regularly - not occasionally.

May God stir our hearts to “practice” it more, as we allow Him to lead us in our daily lives.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

While I have lived this policy my entire life, I also have greatly sacrificed as a result of helping people who were users and took advantage of me. They have destroyed homes I provided, stole from me, broke the equipment I loaned them, lost the tools.... the list goes on and on, but still I help the next person in need that comes along.

In my business I have followed a policy of never hiring anyone who is out of work, I only hired people who were actively employed. Usually I hired quality professionals away from my competitors. I went after the person when I saw an excellent worker rather than waiting for people to come to me.

I found that there was a reason that unemployed people were unemployed and it usually had a lot to do with inflated sense of self(jobs were beneath them) and lack of self initiative. They preferred to be victims and milk the system. I know this sounds calloused, but it was the reality.

If someone has initiative, I am the first one to give that person opportunity. My children grew up to be fine self motivated responsible individuals, I don’t need to take on more children who never grow up.

I’ve found the same thing is true over the years when I provided housing for homeless people. (I’ve done it many times and have been burned many times) They destroyed the housing I provided them, would not participate as a team to keep the property maintained and felt entitled to what they were getting. I’m not looking for gratitude. But I am looking for someone who has initiative to improve themselves and I will help them grow.

I now have a 3 day policy. I help for 3 days. If they do not show initiative and are just looking for a free handout, they can keep moving and look for another free handout. Yes, there are exceptions where a person truly is in need. However discernment between the two groups is sometimes difficult.

I watch if they help at meal time. Do they help prepare the meal or do they need to be asked. Same is true with clean up. Some people look for opportunity to help. Others avoid opportunity like the plague.

I am not helping them by facilitating their laziness. Discomfort and suffering is often God’s motivator for us.

As a servant, I’ve shoveled manure and lived in poverty. I’ve wiped the messy bottoms of children and elderly, changed soiled clothes and linens, and stayed up all night to help when they couldn’t care for themselves... sat with people for hours as they died. Not as employment, but because it needed to be done and the person couldn’t do it for themselves. I look for the God in each individual, even when they keep Him hidden. There is good in everyone, just that in some people you must look much harder.

I will always help the down trodden. I’m tired of helping people who refuse to stand up when they are fully capable.

Often it’s like healing a person whose illness was caused by sin, and they sin again, get ill again and come back for you to heal them again. It is far better to point people to God and explain where the healing came from. When they come back again I then ask them why they disappointed God by breaking His rules and abandoned Him after He healed them.

My advice, go back to God and ask Him yourself this time.

I hope that my ramblings help someone. It’s not easy following God’s word. We are our own biggest obstacle in the process.

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