“Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9).
The goal of our last week of study is to “establish home as a base for serving God and others through hospitality.” The word hospitality is defined as “to share our home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.” Though I wouldn’t depend on Wikipedia as a source, I did find one comment concerning Greeks and hospitality quite interesting. “The concept of hospitality, or generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home is “philoxenia”. The word “philos” meaning “friend” and the word “xenia” meaning “stranger”, thus “friend of the stranger.” It is often translated as “guest-friendship” (or “ritualized friendship”) because the rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host.”
Today hospitality has almost become a lost art. For a variety of reasons, people are just not using the gift of hospitality as in bygone days. Kids are prone to want to invite their friends over. Husbands may want to invite a business client or a work buddy and his wife to share a meal. God may want you to start an afternoon Bible club in your home. God may want you to invite someone who is visiting your church for the first time. When you do open your home, is it because you feel you have to, or, is it because you want to use your gifts as a witness or testimony? That answer determines whether we will serve with or without grumbling.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that pastors and chaplains participating in Memorial Day observances today would have clear and effective opportunities to share the comfort and message of Christ.
In today’s verse Peter says, “use hospitality one to another.” This encompasses believers as well as non-believers. The latter probably is more of a stretch. We must examine our lives to see if it’s just not wanting to open our homes or does it go deeper? Could it be about not wanting to open our hearts?
