In Acts 16:14-15, we read about the conversion of Lydia and her household. It’s interesting to note that she had a godly character which included caring and hospitality. As visitors to her home, she made Paul and Silas feel welcome, loved, and cared for. So much so, that she issued them this compelling invitation: “….she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she constrained us” (Acts 16:15).The word hospitality means “lover of strangers,” and this is precisely what the apostle Paul is calling us to do in Romans 12. In the midst of the practical challenges to Christians about our relationship with God and one another, Paul tells us that we are to be “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13).
We may sometimes have to get outside our comfort zone in order to demonstrate our love and care to those the Lord brings across our path. The Hebrew writer adds this intriguing thought about hospitality: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2).
Often overlooked and sometimes unappreciated, the ministry of hospitality is a great gift, and it brings with it the added possibility of surprising blessings along the way — two of which might be (1) an opportunity to teach a lost soul about Jesus and (2) a gain of an everlasting friendship.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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