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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
prepared, the guests overeat; and disease and suffering, from overwork
on the one hand and overeating on the other, are the result. These
elaborate feasts are a burden and an injury.
But the Lord designs that we shall care for the interests of our
brethren and sisters. The apostle Paul has given an illustration of this.
To the church at Rome he says: “I commend unto you Phebe our sister,
which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive
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her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever
business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many,
and of myself also.”
Romans 16:1, 2
. Phebe entertained the apostle,
and she was in a marked manner an entertainer of strangers who needed
care. Her example should be followed by the churches of today.
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.
Some of our workers occupy positions where it is necessary for
them often to entertain visitors, either their own brethren or strangers.
It is urged by some that the conference should make an account of this,
and that in addition to their regular wages they should be allowed a
sufficient amount to cover this extra expense. But the Lord has given
the work of entertaining to all His people. It is not in God’s order for
one or two to do the entertaining for a conference or a church, or for
workers to be paid for entertaining their brethren. This is an invention
born of selfishness, and angels of God make account of these things.
Those who travel from place to place as evangelists or missionaries
in any line should receive hospitality from the members of the churches
among whom they may labor. Brethren and sisters, make a home for
these workers, even if it be at considerable personal sacrifice.
Christ keeps an account of every expense incurred in entertaining
for His sake. He supplies all that is necessary for this work. Those
who for Christ’s sake entertain their brethren, doing their best to make
the visit profitable both to their guests and to themselves, are recorded
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in heaven as worthy of special blessings.
Christ has given in His own life a lesson of hospitality. When
surrounded by the hungry multitude beside the sea, He did not send
them unrefreshed to their homes. He said to His disciples: “Give ye