S11P4 – The action of love: open hands and open houses

Romans 12:13
contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

Hospitality can be defined as the generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. This definition sheds light on two key characteristics of hospitality, which are generosity and unconditional welcoming. It paints a picture of one who regards the possession of his home as stewardship of God’s home. Our homes are not ours to share but His to share, and we are merely the vehicles through which He blesses others. And we bless others by the measure God demands, which is freely [Pro. 11:24]

This same generosity describes the manner in which we are to care for God’s people. This verse tells us to care for their needs, which can come in many forms. This includes not just physical needs but also spiritual needs. It may be easy for us to identify needs such as food and shelter, but we also must ask God to give us discernment to recognize the needs of the spirit which are not always as evident. This is instruction to care for our brothers and sisters holistically, addressing the body, soul and spirit.

God may have made islands, but we are not them. He created us to care for each other as He cares for us, generously and without condition. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous [Matt. 4:54]. If we have the Father’s heart for His creation, we will give in such a way. Father, help us to be good stewards of what you have so generously given us, that we not only practice but pursue good stewardship.