Hebrews 13:2(ESV)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
As Christians, hospitality is one of the virtues that we must possess. It has its root in God and is one of the marks of a mature Christian. Hospitality is applied love and a practical application and expression of the biblical command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Being hospitable and kindhearted is an indication of the God-nature in us. Hospitality allows us to touch other lives, promote peace, and encourage those laboring for the Kingdom. It also helps us to uphold those who are suffering. And comfort those going through trials. Titus 1:7-8 says, “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” As stewards of God, we must be hospitable in all areas of life.
Our anchored Scripture admonishes us to be loving and kindhearted to strangers. In other words, we should not be forgetful to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some have entertained angels unawares. We cannot claim to love God while we are hostile to others because our attitude to strangers shows the kind of Christianity we practice. Exodus 22:21 says, “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Many have missed their blessing because they failed to treat strangers right or were not as hospitable as they should have been. The Bible records, angels appeared as normal human beings, dressed in ordinary outfits like everyday people. For instance, the Bible says in Genesis 19, two angels went into Sodom and Gomorrah, but the men of those cities saw them as ordinary men because they were just like them. The Bible records Manoah was also visited by an angel in a human form. It was the angel who delivered the news of the birth of Samson. Imagine what would have happened if Manoah was rude to the angel. 1 Peter 4:9 says, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Hospitality must be without grumbling. It could amount to pride when it involves grumbling. However, hospitality rendered with a truly humble spirit, without pretense or pride, is a beautiful manifestation of the work of the Spirit of God in the lives of His children.
Beloved, be hospitable, and never limit it to only giving material things. It could be through a word of encouragement or just a smile. See every encounter you have with people as an opportunity to show forth the love of God. Seek to show God’s love whenever possible. Help people! Never be rude or unaccommodating to anyone. Have you considered the widow on your street, the beggar on your way home, and other disadvantaged people around you? So, be kind to everyone because you never know who you have encountered, what blessing they have in store, or what you can give to them. Don’t hesitate to help strangers, and treat them as well as you would if you knew them. As you practice hospitality, the liberating power of God will make you a new and radically different kind who will love to reflect the glory of God’s grace in the life of others. Let your neighbor know they matter. Let your co-worker who may not look or think like you know they matter. Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Remember, Job escaped untimely death because he was a righteous man who took hospitality with all seriousness(Job 31:32). Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
O Lord, help me be hospitable all the days of my life in Jesus’ Name.