Observation: Several times in scriptures, we see conversations about taking travelers and strangers into one's home. This is a command to care for travelers in Israel, but the activity in the bible predates that (for example, Lot takes in the two angels, and Abraham feeds them an the additional stranger first).
Times were different - hotels and restaurants were not a 'thing' - so there was a different dependency on hospitality. However, Paul is discussing this activity of feeding others as a way of meeting basic need. There is an instruction to help others with practical needs. When doing so, one is doing God's work, extending God's love, and empathizing with others.
Application: My wife and I love having meals with friends. However, we don't host people just out of the blue. We are much more reclusive on a day to day basis than I think we would like to admit. In this way, we are missing out on God's work ... the work of sharing our blessing, empathy, and kindness with others over a simple meal.
God always blesses the giver far beyond that which they are giving. It would be worth our time to invite others over from time to time, even some people we may not know well. Paul tells us to "invite guests home for dinner." It is certainly a worthy practice.
Prayer: Lord, guide is in the way of hospitality. We have learned to keep our distance and not trust others, and will need your help to branch out in new ways. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment