Hospitality 101 - Proper Use of the Doily

“Hospitality is becoming an almost forgotten Christian virtue in our style of life today… In the New Testament, however, hospitality was a distinctive mark of Christians and Christian communities.”
~Alexander Strauch

from The Hospitality Commands

Our shallow, media-driven, post-modern culture views hospitality (and I admit I often do too) through the exquisite, decorous, picturesque images of Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal. Hospitality has been reduced to the idea of private and pretentious entertaining with delicious dinners and polite conversations. And. . . Yes. I love to plan and execute the possibilities of perfection in my own home . . .

Even my little Selah appreciates the use of a paper doily when presenting her homemade delicacies.

But. . . my whimsy -- and my daughter’s vision of being a creative homemaker -- is a complete distortion of Christian hospitality which has little to do with delicious food and polite conversation. Christian hospitality remains a God-given commandment having little to do with domestic ability and perfection.

When the Apostle Paul urged the Roman Christians to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), he was specifically instructing them to “be transformed [from the Roman Empire’s way of thinking] by the renewing of your minds,” “. . . hate what is evil,” and “. . . be patient in suffering.”

These are pretty serious instructions for a group of Christians already being persecuted. But then he gives this command:

“Extend hospitality to strangers.”

What was he thinking?!

So what was acceptable “hospitality” in First Century Rome? The New Testament Christians certainly were not detoured by consumerism and the hospitality “industry.” Did hospitality simply mean being “nice?” Reaching out to strangers? Ministering to those with physical needs? And how would the Roman Christians go about doing these things in Jesus’ name when they were already under great persecution by Nero?

In Acts Chapter 2, we learn that these early Christians were devoted to “the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Any hospitality practiced in the New Testament Church had to flow out of this framework of life and worship.

As they learned from the apostle’s teaching, they shared it.
And the Church grew.

As they enjoyed fellowship, they shared the friendship.
And the Church grew.

As they ate meals together, they certainly extended the invitation to others. (They probably shared recipes too!)
And the Church grew.

As they prayed together, they received comfort and power and wisdom – which was shared!
And the Church grew.

As these Christians received from God, they gave back.
And the Church grew!

That’s hospitality: Giving back.
Growing God's Church!

All believers are called to hospitality:

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- Romans 12:13

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Hebrews 13:2

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
- 1 Peter 4:9

Throughout Scripture, godliness and hospitality have always been synonymous. If we are true believers, we have all been called to minister to others. It’s called “Hospitality.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

By the way. . . Presenting hospitality on a pretty doily never hurts.

See Selah's recipe for Hermits at The Goossen Kitchen

And read about making them at The Excellent Homeschool Adventure.

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

See More In Other Words at Joyfully Living For His Glory