HOTN - HOSPITALITY

Thanking God for what He has done is an obligation (don’t you think?). If you do something for someone, courtesy demands that the person appreciates you. If they don’t, as humans, you know what you’ll be thinking - I will not do things for the person again. If we don’t thank God for what He has done for us, it is just sheer lack of cognisance and respect. Therefore in the whole of this series, ‘Thanksgiving’ is used regarding appreciating God for who He is and for the things he is yet to do for you, not for the things He has done.

HOSTPITALITY

While I am trying to keep this series short and concise, I want to take my time to explain why this is one of the foundations of Christian living.
What exactly is hospitality?

Simply defined, Hospitality is the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly and generous way.

In relation to thanksgiving, being hospitable is saying “God, this is what you have given me, I am expecting more, but in my expectation, I am sharing and giving what I have.

If you are thanking God for what He is yet to do, then there is no better way to express your lack of faith (unbelief) than when your expectation is not followed through by a lifestyle of hospitality.

You are simply saying:
“God I am thanking you because I know you will do it, but I can’t let go of some of what you have given me because ......., well, you may not do it.

Folks, “If thanksgiving is an act of faith, Hospitality is the works behind it.”

Hospitality has nothing to do with whether you are rich or poor. Some may argue that being rich makes it easier to be hospitable, but hospitality is a mindset that shines through every ounce of our lives, irrespective of whether we have or have not.

Jesus said Mathew 25 31:44
“......for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.......”

The bible never mentioned whether or not they had more than enough to give – think about it.

In fact, when the widow of zarephath told Elijah “This meal is for me and my son to eat and then die”, Elijah said (paraphrased) If you want more, then show hospitality out of the little/lack that you have, cook for me first.
The widow obeyed – showed hospitality in the midst of lack, and abundance was given unto her. (1 kings 17: 8 - 16)

Abraham was praying to God for a child. One day, angels in the form of men were passing by on a mission to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
I would like to think they were equipped with spiritual weapons of mass destruction.
Abraham showed hospitality to them, and the angels took time out from the message of death and destruction to pronounce a blessing of life and multiplication to Abraham.

You may ask; does this really work?

Just a few hours later, Abraham’s nephew Lot, replicated the act of hospitality, and the angels ensured He was safe before they destroyed the city. We were never told whether or not Lot was asking anything from God, but through Hospitality, He was able to survive the destruction that he never knew was imminent. (Genesis 18 & 19)

I could talk about, Melchizedek the King of Salem, Rahab the harlot and David the king, who all made Hospitality their lifestyles.

If you want to live a life of thanksgiving, start showing hospitality. Again always remember:

“If thanksgiving is an act of faith, Hospitality is the works behind it.”