January, 2010

Webster’s dictionary says, “hospitality is a generous and friendly way of treating guests.” Hospitable
means liking to have guests in one’s home and treating them in a warm and generous way. The Bible talks
about hospitality too. Romans 12:13 says to help the needy saints imparting hospitality. Now look back in
verse 10. This verse is talking about love and tells us to prefer Christians, be kindly affectionate or devoted
to one another or loving warmly, show brotherly love, show honor to one another, and in verse 13, we
are to “impart hospitality.” 1 Timothy 3:2 lists hospitality as one of the requirements of an elder or bishop.
By the way, most of the requirements of an elder are requirements for us too.

Titus 1:8 says that an elder is to be hospitable. Why should they have this quality? Read verse 9 and you
will find it is so that they will be able to teach and encourage others.

1 Peter 4:9 tells us to “use hospitality to one another without grudging.” The New International Version (NIV) says to “offer
hospitality to one another without grumbling.” In 2 Corinthians 9:7 the word “grudgingly” is used again, this time in reference to
giving – not because we have to, but because we want to.

1 Peter 4:11 in the King James Version reads: “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God
provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

When I think of the word hospitality, this is what comes to mind; family, comfort, belonging, warmth,
peace, safe, welcome, fellowship, serving, opening up, the “real” you, no worries, special and love.

Below are a few things you should know about hospitality:
 Hospitality is a quality that we can all have IF we are willing.
 To be hospitable, you must work at it.
 A person must LEARN to be hospitable. This means that you have to TRY it and get some “On
the Job Training.”
 If you wait until the kids are grown, you will probably never do it and they will not know how to
be hospitable either.
 Hospitality takes TEAMWORK! I’m speaking to the husband and wife here. Sometimes it takes
TWO to get it done, one encouraging the other. Sometimes the most difficult part is extending the
invitation because that means there will be work involved like cleaning up the house, cooking
and/or spending money. You may have to talk yourself into inviting someone over, but working
together can make it much easier. If willingness is there, and encouragement is received, joy will
come your way.

Let us look at 2 Corinthians 8:5, 11 & 12 in the New International Version.

Verse 5 says, “And they did not do as expected but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in
keeping with God’s will.”

Verses 11 & 12 says, “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by
your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable
according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”

I believe that hospitality is letting others know you as you really are. Letting them see the “real” you. Like
having someone over even when you know you have dishes still in the sink or dust on the furniture. I am
not saying that you shouldn’t keep a tidy house, just remember that you don’t have to be PERFECT. Yes, I
have had people into our home and I have to say there have been some times that I was a bit embarrassed.
But you know what? We had a good visit and were glad to have had the opportunity to share our home.
And guess what? They still came back to visit.

I was thinking about the Adult Sunday Bible Class. We were talking about Jesus feeding the 5000 with 5
loaves and 2 fishes. Maybe another lesson we can learn from that story is that you don’t have to have a full
meal to feed people when you invite them into your home. There have been times when we have pulled
out the leftovers and shared. It worked! Everyone ate and had a good time. Another good solution for feeding
people without planning is to have everyone stop by Sonic! Everyone brings their own! We have done
that too.

It’s nice to know that people enjoy coming to your home. That they can feel at home with you. That you
can wrap up in a blanket on the couch and drink a cup of coffee or that the kids know right where to go to
find your box of toys.

We had a Japanese exchange student a few years ago. He was very surprised to see that we had others into
our home. He said, “In Japan, they would never do that because of the competition on the career ladder.”
In America, we have nothing to lose but much to be gained by being hospitable. Like getting to know each
other and learning our likes and dislikes, finding out where we work, what our hobbies are, and establishing
relationships that will last a lifetime. It gives us someone to laugh with (which is great medicine for the
soul according to Proverbs 17:22), and someone to cry with when things aren’t going so well. Galatians
6:2 reminds us to bear or carry each others burdens and along the way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
You will enjoy having some people over more than others, but you’ll benefit greatly from all.

Remember, being hospitable is something that will please God. He tells us to have this quality. He gets
praised when you have a generous and friendly way of treating guests.

I encourage each of us (myself included) to invite someone into our homes for a visit, a cup of coffee or a glass of soda, or just a chat. The blessings can be tremendous!

by Judy Finney

Originally published in The 2010 Winter Issue N3V1

My husband, Wayne, was brought up in the church of Christ and obeyed the gospel plan of Salvation as a
youth. As a Christian, he knew the importance of locating an area congregation for us to worship God. Wayne
noticed the church of Christ in Howe and inquired about the times of meeting.

We began attending Bible classes, Worship services and a home Bible study taught by Andy Kizer, the
preacher. I distinctly remember the emphasis placed on Bible study and the importance of knowing God’s
Word and thus His Will. Listed are a few Scriptures that helped me understand my obligation to study:
II Timothy 2:15 – “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”
I Timothy 2:4 – “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Ephesians 5:17 – “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”.
II Peter 3:18 – “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Through our studies, I became aware I had not completely obeyed the gospel plan of salvation and was not a
Christian. Wayne and I met with Andy to discuss my previous immersion. It was not based on what the
Scriptures taught in Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Andy
explained Acts 19 where some disciples in Ephesus had been baptized into John’s baptism and after Paul
taught them “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” Acts 19:5. That evening I fully obeyed the
gospel plan of salvation, being truly grateful for God’s saving grace.

Studying and learning God’s Will has given my life purpose and direction. We can know God’s truth (John
8:31,32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,’If ye continue in my word, then are ye my
disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ”) and share His truth with
others (1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear;”). I am thankful to God for
His Word and how He provides us with opportunities to hear, know, obey and share His Will.

By Susan Carter

Originally published in the 2010 Winter Issue N3V1

She waited by the door. When the guests arrived, she greeted them warmly.“Please come in. Have a seat. We are so glad to have you.” She said. “The bathroom? It is right down the hall. Come I will show you.”… She helped her guests get settled into their seats, all the while visiting with them and learning more about them.

During lunch, which was served buffet style, she helped the little ones with their plates and get seated at the table. She made sure that everyone had what they needed: an extra napkin, another piece of bread, their drinks refilled…

As they left, she walked them to the door and waved goodbye. “See you later. Please come visit again.” She then went back to the kitchen to help her sisters clean up. “I am so glad they came today, aren’t you?” When the kitchen was again clean and tidy, she closed the door of the church building and drove home with a feeling of joy knowing that they had shared the love of the Lord with their visitors.

I often find it hard to approach visitors at church services. Partly because I am absorbed in taking care of kids or catching that person I needed to talk with or all the things I need to see about while I am there; and partly because it is outside my comfort zone. But couldn’t I call those people later, or make a second trip back up to the building or corral my kids in a minute? This might be my one chance to meet and encourage those visitors. Often times we find it easy to be a hostess at home, so why not apply those skills
to the times we are at the church building? Hospitality is defined as “the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.” What simple gestures of kindness it would take on my part to play the role of hostess. It only takes a moment to make someone feel welcome. “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13: 16 Let’s share the love of God and help the church grow by taking it upon ourselves to act as hostesses.

By Amy Ellis

Orginally published in The 2010 Winter Issue V3N1