2 Kings 4:8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
Isaiah 32:8 But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.
Matthew 10:41-42 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Mark 9:41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Peter 4:9-10 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
We are encouraged to be hospitable and to do it out of a heart of love, without grumbling. Hospitality is something everyone can do. Some have been given the gift of this but others have to work at it. Those with the gift of hospitality do not even see it as being hospitable but rather see it as a kindness that they want to share. Others see it as an inconvenience and burden. Their heart only seems to find the negative in wherever they are. So, when they have opportunity to show hospitality it is not with kindness but more like bitterness. To be hospitable requires our heart to want to honor God through it. When we remove negative thoughts of how this is affecting my schedule, my time, my space….. and replace them with thoughts like “Jesus please open my eyes to see opportunity to be hospitable with today.”, “Jesus please change my heart to be more hospitable”, “Jesus remove these thoughts of selfishness and replace them with a willing and wanting heart desire to show Your love through me”, “Jesus, soften me from the inside”, “Jesus guide me on paths that bring honor and glory to you”, Jesus everything I have is because of your blessing – show me how to be hospitable with it.”
Being hospitable is not hard but can be when our heart, mind , and soul, does not see it as an opportunity to show and share the love of Jesus Christ.
