Christian Hospitality

A 7-Day Devotional Guide from World Relief – Baltimore USA

THE HERITAGE OF HOSPITALITY

The concept of hospitality – especially towards strangers and aliens – is woven throughout both Old and New Testaments. In early Bible times, to share food with others was to share life. For the early Church, hospitality was an expression of loving kindness, an attribute of God. The Apostle Paul instructs believers to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13); the writer of Hebrews urges Christians not to neglect hospitality towards strangers (Hebrews 13:2); and the author of 1 Peter challenges believers to give hospitality ungrudgingly (1 Peter 4:9). However, surprisingly few Christians today feel they have the “gift of hospitality.” As a result, it has become – by and large – an overlooked and neglected aspect of the Christian life. This week-long devotional is designed to help you explore the topic of hospitality from a biblical perspective and prayerfully consider your personal response. My prayer is that each of us will grow deeper in the warmth of Christian fellowship and our desire to “be Jesus” to those around us.