The Principle of Hospitality

Light Over Darkness

The principle of hospitality can be summed up simply as being a gracious host and a kind guest.

Be A Gracious Host

“Hospitality, however, seeks to minister. It says, "This home is not mine. It is truly a gift from my Master. I am His servant and I use it as He desires." Hospitality does not try to impress, but to serve.” Excerpt― Karen Burton Mains, Open Heart, Open Home: The Hospitable Way to Make Others Feel Welcome & Wanted

Part of living a life of service is recognizing that all blessing bestowed to you are meant to be shared. Acts of hospitality should always be practiced with grace, humility, and in a spirit of love.

God commands us to extend hospitality to both, brethren and strangers.

"Be hospitable to one another without complaint" (1 Pet. 4:9).

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Heb. 13:2).

We should be gracious in our service to others. We shouldn’t grip at every turn and constantly point out how much we are sacrificing in order to serve. God loves and cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

So, how do you deal with an unruly guest, or ones that wants to take advantage of your generosity?

We are to remain graceful and loving in our interactions. At the same time we should seek justice, peace, and reconciliation. We should be lead by the fruits of the holy spirit and not fleshly desires.

In our service to others we are NOT called to be a doormats. 

Christ-like love will indeed call us to be people of endurance, trust, hope, and patience. But it will also fire our passion for God's truth and justice. Even as we put up with people's faults and foibles, and even as we always look for God's presence in their lives, we will not allow them to trample on the image of God in us as if we were helpless doormats. Rather, we will learn how to walk the second mile with people even as we refuse to let them walk all over us. Excerpt | Does Love Mean You Have to Be a Doormat? by Mark D. Roberts

Be A Kind Guest

Hospitality is the relationship between a guest and a host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. In other words, it is the role of the host and the guest to remain kind and considerate. Situations will go awry when either party begins to act unhospitable.

Remember the quote by Maya Angelou “…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Entertain each other with love, kindness, and generosity.