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Make the Home a Blessing to Others, July 16
Family Companionship
When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the
blind: ... for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be
recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Luke 14:13, 14
God is displeased with the selfish interest so often manifested for
“me and my family.” Every family that cherishes this spirit needs to be
converted by the pure principles exemplified in the life of Christ. Those
who shut themselves up within themselves, who are unwilling to be
drawn upon to entertain visitors, lose many blessings.
There are many others to whom we might make our homes a blessing.
Our social entertainments should not be governed by the dictates of
worldly custom, but by the Spirit of Christ and the teaching of His Word.
The Israelites, in all their festivities, included the poor, the stranger, and
the Levite, who was both the assistant of the priest in the sanctuary and
a religious teacher and missionary. These were regarded as the guests
of the people, to share their hospitality on all occasions of social and
religious rejoicing and to be tenderly cared for in sickness or in need.
It is such as these whom we should make welcome to our homes. How
much such a welcome might do to cheer and encourage the missionary
nurse or the teacher, the care-burdened, hard-working mother, or the
feeble and aged, so often without a home, and struggling with poverty
and many discouragements....
The warmth of a genial welcome, a place at your fireside, a seat at
your home table, the privilege of sharing the blessing of the hour of
prayer, would to many of these be like a glimpse of heaven.
Our sympathies are to overflow the boundaries of self and the enclo-
sure of family walls. There are precious opportunities for those who will
make their homes a blessing to others. Social influence is a wonderful
power. We can use it if we will as a means of helping those about us....
* * * * *
Our time here is short. We can pass through this world but once; as
we pass along, let us make the most of life.
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