Imagine you are invited to someone’s home for dinner. You arrive a little tired, definitely a little anxious. You knock and within a few seconds you’re greeted by your host. They shake your hand, smile, greet you, and welcome you through the door into their home. You enter and there’s music playing in the background, immediately you feel relaxed because of it. The house is clean and smells good, because the dinner’s in the oven and there are candles on a table and countertop.  

Your host takes your coat and asks if you’d like something to drink. There’s a few choices offered to you. “Make yourself at home.” There are seats available with some magazines or books close by. You offer to help, but everything’s ready for you. Your host begins to ask you questions about yourself, your family, and your interests. Your mind and body relax and you feel comfortable.  

Dinner is served on time. The host prays for the food and for you and your family. They thank God for you. Smiles and laughter come easy to the host and their family, making you feel more and more accepted.

There’s little awkwardness. You believe they want you to be there and there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for you as their guest. You feel free to ask your own questions, to make a joke or two, to ask for seconds. 

After dinner there’s dessert. They offer coffee or tea, even if they don’t drink it. They realize as hosts there are things they don’t like or use, but most people do. So they’re prepared and ready to bless their guests, making their home feel inviting to them. By now you’re completely relaxed, any anxiousness is gone. You realize you are finding rest here in this home and with this family. There’s a sense of satisfaction and joy within your heart, because you are being cared for. 

How many of us have received an experience like this as someone’s guest? More important, how many of us have extended this gift of hospitality as someone’s host? 

Hospitality is a spiritual gift. It is a character trait belonging to God. It is a sign of Christ dwelling in our hearts, our homes, our churches. It is a testimony to and witness of the gospel. Hospitality is not something some Christians or churches do, while others are excused from it. I believe that hospitality is a gift and ministry all Christians and churches have and should exercise.  

In a day and culture where division and divisiveness reign, where deceit and gossip are the norm, where cruelty and mockery are the native tongue, we as the church are an alternative culture living in the new day of the Kingdom of God. These things ought not to be practiced or even mentioned among us. Our services and church atmosphere, our family and home environment, should be steeped in and soaked in hospitality. Every new and old friend, every stranger and wanderer, that enters our doors should be welcomed and treated as a royal guest. They should be cared for to feel welcomed and comfortable as if in their own home—for many the home they’ve never had or know anything about.