This is Bible Study on-line.
This column is for those who are searching, seeking, and even those who already believe. It's always something new to learn about God! I print Scriptures and song verses. Along with those, I sometimes add personal examples from my own life and of those around me, to show you how the word of God is applied to "real peoples" lives, in our day and time. Remember, I don't go in any particular order of the Bible. I write about subject matters that come up and I write as I am lead. Remember too, that with this column, it is good to have your Bible and Concordance and a tablet for note taking, on hand. I use a Life Application Study bible, N.I.V. or New International Version, as well as a King James Version. But use what you are comfortable with and what will give you a comprehensible translation. Still, it is through the "power of God" that you get "true understanding" when you read Holy Scriptures. And understanding, is very important. "In all your getting, get understanding". So, Shall we get started?
HOSPITALITY... is the subject matter for today.
You may be wondering, what does hospitality have to do with God? Good question! What does IT NOT have to do with God? Is another good question and one that I pose to you today. First, let's talk about what hospitality is! According to the old trusty, "Merriam-Webster Dictionary", the New Edition 2004 copy, Hospitality comes from the word Hospitable which means...
Given to generous and cordial reception of guests. Readily receptive. You still may be saying "What does that have to do with God?" OK. I'll tell you this, when you understand what God IS, then you will understand why he holds us accountable for showing hospitality. OK! More deeply now. God IS LOVE!
When show "true" love you are also committing yourself to care or be concerned. Part of caring and concerning yourself with someone else is that you are readily willing to aid them in any way that you can to fill a need in their lives. Although, in our world, people use that precious word 'LOVE' in all manner of ways. People use it loosely, selfishly, deceptively, and in manipulation without fully knowing what Love really is! they just know it is a powerful thing that can easily be manipulated, unfortunately.
Back to the Dictionary, although the Bible has LOTS to say about LOVE! We'll get to that specific lesson in the future. For quick basic lesson though, according to Merriam-Webster one of the things Love is an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for others. It is also to cherish. And; To feel a passion, devotion, or tenderness for.
Yes! This definition also speaks of love based on the strength of sexual desires, but IS that really LOVE? We are not going to get into that today. As I said, we'll discuss Love more deeply in the future. As for the other parts of the definition on love according to Merriam-Webster, those are more to the point. To the point of showing the kind of love I am referring to in terms of hospitality and caring for people.
Part of the Godly love I am talking about is in reference to hospitality! Love, in the way that you have that unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for others. There is much to be said about hospitality from a biblical stand point. So, let's start by first discovering what Christian hospitality IS and SHOULD REMAIN.
ROMANS 12:13
Christian hospitality: "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Open Your Home For Fellowship
3 JOHN 5 & 6
"Dear Friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God."
HEBREWS 13:2-3
"Do not forget to entertain stranger, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves are suffering."
LUKE;10:38-42
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha", the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things , but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Hospitality & The Poor
LEVITICUS 25:35-37
"If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continued to live, among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at at profit."
Relevant Footnotes:
From the N.I.V. (New International Version)
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Wheaton, Illinois
Romans 12:13
Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host-the home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good nature. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests, their needs. Whether it's for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance, are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home! It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don't hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.
3John 1:5-6
In the church's early days, traveling Prophets, Evangelist's, and teachers ("the brothers") were helped on their way by people like Gaius who housed and fed them. Hospitality is a lost art in many churches today. We would do well to invite more people for meals-fellow church members, young people, traveling missionaries, those in need, visitors. This is an active and much-appreciated way to show your love. In fact, it is probably more important today! Because of our individualistic, self-centered society, many lonely people wonder if anyone cares where they live or die. If YOU find such a lonely person, show him or her that YOU CARE!.
Hebrews 13:2-3
Three Old Testament people "entertained angles without knowing it": (1) Abraham
(Genesis 18:1), (2) Gideon (Judges 6;11), and (3) Manoah (Judges 13:2). Some people say they cannot be hospitable because their homes are not large enough or nice enough. But even if you have no more than a table and two chairs in a rented room, there are people who would be grateful to spend time in your home. Are there visitors to your church with whom you could share a meal? Do you know single people who would enjoy an evening of conversation? Is there any way your home could meet the needs of traveling missionaries? Hospitality, simply means making other people feel comfortable and at home.
Luke 10:38-42
Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. On this occasion they were both serving him. But Martha thought Mary's style of serving was inferior to hers. She didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you're not spending any time with him?
Don't let your service become self-serving. Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her t set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is no longer full of devotion to God.
Leviticus 25:35-37
" God said that neglecting the poor was a sin. Permanent poverty was not allowed in Israel. Financially secure families were responsible to help and house those in need. Many times we do nothing, not because we lack compassion, but because we are overwhelmed by the size of the problem and don't know where to begin! God doesn't expect you to eliminate poverty, nor does he expect you to neglect your family while providing for others. He does, however, expect that when you see an individual in need, you will reach out with whatever help you can offer, including hospitality!
*Remember Reader, Though God was talking directly to the people of Israel, he still holds the present day believers, responsible as well. See, Gods word never changes, because HE never changes. "God is the same God today, as he was yesterday and will be forever."
"TALK" to ya next time, on B.I.B.L.E.
Where we learn how we should be.
Meetta
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