From the Editor

Hospitality that Works

By Arlene Allen

If you have been around me for more than five minutes, you know I’m a Southern lady. Maybe you’ve heard that Southern people are friendlier. Allow me to share this story about my Grandmother Clair and let you be the judge.

When I was a little girl, I was shopping with my grandmother in a small Virginia town when the noon whistle blew. My grandmother looked at the stranger examining fabric beside her and said, “Looks like you are all alone today. Would you like to have lunch with us?” The woman agreed, and she and my grandmother became good friends.

You don’t need a flair for entertaining to show hospitality. And you don’t need a large home, gourmet cooking skills or extra leisure time. True biblical hospitality is shown when you encourage another person—whether it’s a cup of coffee with a coworker, an elegant dinner for friends, a phone call, a note or just taking time to listen.

Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host—the home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests. Their needs—whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear or acceptance—are the primary concern.

Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy or not wealthy enough to entertain.

At special invitation or with a surprise knock, company arrives and with them comes the promise of soiled floors, extra laundry, dirty dishes, altered schedules, personal expense and inconvenience. From sharing a meal to providing a bed, hospitality costs—in time, energy, and money. But how we treat others reflects our true values. Do we see people as objects or inconveniences, or as unique creations of a loving God? And which is more important to God—a person or a carpet? Perhaps the most effective way to demonstrate God’s values and Christ’s love to others is to invite and welcome guests into our homes.

November is hospitality month at WTOnline. Each week you will find new material to read and enjoy. Because of our individualistic, self-centered society, there are many lonely people who wonder if anyone cares whether they live or die. If you find such a lonely person, show him or her that you care! Practice hospitality!