Showing Hospitality
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whom he sought to protect, protected him. At nightfall he had led
them for safety to his door; at the dawn they led him and his household
forth in safety from the gate of the doomed city.
These acts of courtesy God thought of sufficient importance to
record in His word; and more than a thousand years later they were re-
ferred to by an inspired apostle: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Hebrews 13:2
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The privilege granted Abraham and Lot is not denied to us. By
showing hospitality to God’s children we, too, may receive His angels
into our dwellings. Even in our day, angels in human form enter the
homes of men and are entertained by them. And Christians who live
in the light of God’s countenance are always accompanied by unseen
angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our
homes.
“A lover of hospitality” is among the specifications given by the
Holy Spirit as marking one who is to bear responsibility in the church.
And to the whole church is given the injunction: “Use hospitality one
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to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even
so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God.”
1 Peter 4:9, 10
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These admonitions have been strangely neglected. Even among
those who profess to be Christians, true hospitality is little exercised.
Among our own people the opportunity of showing hospitality is not
regarded as it should be, as a privilege and blessing. There is altogether
too little sociability, too little of a disposition to make room for two
or three more at the family board, without embarrassment or parade.
Some plead that “it is too much trouble.” It would not be if you would
say: We have made no special preparation, but you are welcome to
what we have.” By the unexpected guest a welcome is appreciated far
more than is the most elaborate preparation.
It is a denial of Christ to make preparation for visitors which
requires time that rightly belongs to the Lord. In this we commit
robbery of God. And we wrong others as well. In preparing an
elaborate entertainment, many deprive their own families of needed
attention, and their example leads others to follow the same course.
Needless worries and burdens are created by the desire to make
a display in entertaining visitors. In order to prepare a great variety
for the table, the housewife overworks; because of the many dishes