Hospitality; An Hallmark Of Love

There is a direct relationship between love and hospitality. What do I mean by this?

Yes, it’s natural for a person who expresses genuine (or unfeigned) love to others to be really hospitable to people around him or her. As Joan D. Chittister beautifully observed, “Hospitality is simply love on the loose.” I love this!

source

But what do we have in our world or society today?

Nearly everybody is suspicious of the person next to him or her—and many out of fear refuse to help strangers, while others, due to their cruelty and inhuman nature not only maltreat strangers but those around them—in their streets, neighbours, or as the case may be.

However, Hebrews 13:1-2 teaches us a lovely messages; it states:

"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Sincerely, the reason why our world seems to be in a ‘mess’ is as a result of the absence or insignificant presence of love, and of course, the poor level of hospitality on the part of each one of us. As it were, everybody, believers in particular, is responsible for hospitality. And indeed, hospitality is an hallmark of love.

source

Remember, the parable of the good Samaritan; all others, including the priest walked past the stranger who was at the point of death: for he had been mercilessly tortured by a set of terrible gang, and was left with practically nothing, except his dying body on the floor—they took everything he had. But the good Samaritan, unlike others showed a great level of hospitality birthed out of love, and he did help the stranger to recuperate and get back on track. Luke 10:25-37.

Hebrews 13:16 says:

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Now, wait a minute and ask yourself these questions:

“How do I treat strangers?”
When I come across a needy young boy, girl, or an adult (woman or man), how do I respond to their predicament? With disdain, or with love?

“True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guest”~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Conclusively, the only sacrifice God appreciate is that of love, of which hospitality is part of. (Hebrews 13:16)

Thanks for reading.