The Joy of Christian Hospitality
by Theresa Bowen
“Father,” I prayed, “Use this apartment to further your kingdom. Please direct me as to how I could best serve You with this extra room... how I can give it to You” (August 1986).
I had no way of knowing it then but at that very same time Debbie was making her way south to attend Bible College. All her worldly possessions were packed into an old sedan with enough money to cover tuition and enough faith that God would provide the rest. He answered both our prayers. Debbie moved into that room that had been offered up for His purposes and thus began a lifelong adventure that has brought tremendous blessing to our family—the joy of Christian hospitality.
As I leaf back through our guest book, I am reminded of visitors from about half the states in our nation and missionaries or nationals from some eighteen countries, representing five continents—many of whom we had never met until they stayed with us.
There are sweet memories of times with family and friends as well... special celebrations and spur of the minute dinners, church gatherings and neighborhood get-togethers, reunions and Little House dinners.
Guests are divine appointments
We see these guests as divine appointments—living, breathing answers to the prayer, “Lord, bring whom you will.” Believe me, there is nothing extraordinary about our home or our family, apart from our availability and our desire to share what God has entrusted to us with those whom He brings. Might God be calling you to offer up a similar prayer?
In Part 1, we will lay out the biblical basis—the command, if you will, for including hospitality as an integral part of our Christian life.
What do you think of when you hear the word hospitality?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “welcoming guests with warmth and generosity; a fondness for entertaining; and well disposed toward strangers;” but biblical hospitality, I believe, goes much further than a mere “fondness of entertaining”. It is seeking to minister rather than impress. In her book Open Heart, Open Home, Karen Mains writes,
Entertaining says, “I want to impress you with my beautiful home, my clever
decorating, my gourmet cooking.” Hospitality, however, seeks to minister. It says,
“This home is not mine. It is truly a gift from my master. I am His servant and I use
it as He desires. Hospitality does not seek to impress, but to serve.”
The love of Strangers
In the Greek, the original language of the New Testament, hospitality is translated philoxenia, literally, “the love of strangers” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). This is the word Paul used when he wrote to the Roman church urging them to “practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13, NASB). Commenting on this verse, Alexander Strauch in his Hospitality Commands, notes that the word practice here is the Greek word
“dioko”, which is better rendered “strive for” or “pursue” ... Thus we are to actively
pursue, promote, and aspire to hospitality. We are to think about it, plan for it, pre-
pare for it, pray about it, and seek opportunities to do it. In short, the Romans 12
passage teaches that all Christians are to pursue the practice of hospitality.
It is not an option or a preference—it is a command. Hospitality was one of the defining marks of the Early Church—one that has, I believe, been lost in our busy, overly committed, twenty-first century families and churches; nevertheless, God’s command remains, “practice hospitality”.
Don’t Neglect Hospitality
Likewise, we are reminded not to “neglect hospitality” (Hebrew 13:2, NASB) but to “be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:9-10, NASB).
“Expect great things of God as He uses your life and home. No matter what your background, your style of entertaining, or the condition of your house, God can make miracles happen and change people’s lives for eternity!” (The Joy of Hospitality by Barbara Ball and Vonette Bright). He can use your unique personality, experiences, even your specific geographic location for His purposes. Just make yourself available and begin to practice.
Requirement for Church Leadership
Beyond being a command for all believers, the Bible teaches that hospitality is a requirement for church leadership. In his letter to the young pastor Timothy, whom he left in Ephesus to oversee the newly planted church there, Paul lists the qualifications for church leaders: “An overseer must be ... hospitable...” (I Timothy 3:2, NASB). Yes, “hospitable” is right up there alongside “prudent, temperate and able to teach.” Paul knew then, as we know now, that more is often caught than taught. “Giving oneself to the care of God’s people means sharing one’s life and home with others. An open home is a sign of an open heart and a loving, sacrificial spirit” (Strauch).
Care for Widows
The Bible also teaches that hospitality was a requirement for church supported widows. God expected the family to care for its widows and in the case that there was no believing family, the Church was to step in and provide for her; however, not just any widow could presume upon the Church for her financial support. Again, Paul gave a list of behaviors that these women, sixty years old or more, must have exhibited over the courses of their lives. Having “shown hospitality” was one of the requirements for eventual Church support (I Timothy 5:10, NASB).
Thus, we have seen that hospitality, in some shape or form, is commanded of all, expected of church leadership, and a fruit of godly womanhood. Next we will see the great blessing we can extend to others—believers and unbelievers alike—through hospitality, using our homes as a base for ministry and evangelism.
(Go on to part two, click here)
Theresa Bowen is the wife of Craig Bowen, pastor of Lakeside Community Church in Jacksonville, FL. Craig and Theresa have five children. Lakeside uses household principles in its ministry practices.
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