A thought about hospitality

Published on 24 February 2022 at 13:09

A thought about hospitality...Romans 12:13

written by Tim, Originally posted on Saturday, March 31, 2018

"...distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." Romans 12:13
"It's a beautiful day in Florence Italy..." this man's outgoing message begins on his voicemail.
That message made me think...
Often, we have a want to go and visit European cities... to enjoy the charm and beauty of the romantic "old world" and we are confident that we will be met with hospitality. We are sure that as tourists, we are welcome to come and converse and spend our money.  It's a way of life for the business of tourism. Right?
Also, people from other countries come to the "new" nation, the good ole USA to visit and tour our nation and these people are met with the similar business-like definition of hospitality.  
As citizens of the United States of America, we too, like to visit places across our nation.  We go to museums, state parks, and other attractions and tourist destinations and we are treated kindly, with genuine hospitality, as well.

Right?


Perhaps this begs a question.  
Are these folks truly kind and hospitable or just playing a part, pretending to welcome us for a paycheck?
As I think about it for a moment. I begin to wonder... 
How do I treat others?
How do I speak to and how do I respond to my neighbor, my co-worker, people at church or at the store?
Now, what about my spouse at home and my kids?
Do I show hospitality to everyone, but my family? Do I?
Surely, the people from around the country that we meet are not all true-blue Christian hospitable folks, but I'd like to think so. But, I expect that many are in it for the money and just "putting on a show."
And, as they are one or the other, I can see that I am, as well.
Seeing this, and knowing that I have the choice to be God's true child without a doubt, I choose to be His. I choose to be good to God and all, to be His child, in all ways. Let's not just let it be said of me, but let it be that I am good to God and all. I am and I maintain that I will continue to be a servant of God. 
You see, we really do have the God-given opportunity to live an authentic life of hospitality. 
Think about it!
Who is with me?
Let's operate in love and hospitality toward our brothers and sisters in this land!
God's word speaks to us about hospitality in Romans 12:1-15. 
As we read the words, let us think about our own walk with God and examine ourselves to see whose we are.
Are we truly hospitable??  or just in the business of presenting a "fake" portrayal that only satisfies our self

and financial goals?
Romans 12:1-15  
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

My prayer for today is that  we do take the time to look "inside" and see if we are treating others with genuine love and hospitality and if not...ask ourselves, "Why?"  
Let us seek the Lord and operate in His ways and not our own and in that action, we will find that we are truly blessed in blessing others.
And there is nothing better than that!!
Love and blessings to all in Jesus precious Name. Amen

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