Biblical Hospitality

August 24, 2023

by Annie Yorty

Many of us think of hospitality as a gift we either have—or not. In a world where opportunities for in-person human contact dwindle daily, people crave connection more than ever. Believe it or not, God addresses this modern issue in the ancient text of the Bible. The answer is found in biblical hospitality.

Biblical hospitality is using our God-given resources to invite people into our hearts and homes for His glory. #annieyorty Share on X

Fallacies about Hospitality

When I was a kid, my family didn’t have much. My mom, keenly ashamed of our poverty, almost never hosted others in our home. Later in life, when she had more, she occasionally invited people over, but only after planning every single detail followed by an immaculate cleansing.

As an adult, I lived in the south for many years. Boy, did those southern women seem to have it all together when it came to hospitality! Wowed by their beautiful presentation and attention to every detail, I hesitated to even attempt to measure up.

Both my mom and I allowed Satan to use one of his most conniving schemes—comparison. We judged ourselves against others. The verdict—inadequate to offer hospitality.

Perfectionism is the enemy of hospitality. I wonder how many of us believe we cannot host others until we have all our ducks in a row. Do any of these excuses echo in our heads?

My apartment is too small.

I don’t have much time.

I’m a terrible cook.

My house is always a mess.

It costs too much.

We’re in the middle of home improvements.

Sites like Pinterest offer a wonderfully wide variety of hosting ideas, but Pinterest Perfectionism can destroy our confidence. We put off inviting anyone over until we can do everything “just right.”

Perfection is the enemy of biblical hospitality. #annieyorty Share on X

What Does the Bible Say about Hospitality?

Wait, what? The Bible isn’t Southern Living magazine. Why would God care about the subject of hospitality? Surely, He has more important issues to tackle.

We can define biblical hospitality as using our God-given resources to invite people into our hearts and homes for His glory. Through this lens, we can see why God promotes biblical hospitality throughout His Word.

I like how Apostle Peter describes the purpose of our resources.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:9-10 NLT)

This understanding of hospitality relieves the pressure that my mom and I, along with so many others, felt when inviting people into our homes.

3 Groups of People Who Need Biblical Hospitality

God expects His children to show hospitality to others to demonstrate His love to a lonely world. Specifically, we find that His directions about biblical hospitality target three groups of people.

1. Foreigners

You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 22:21 NLT)

God’s chosen people, the Jews, were—and in some cases still are—forced to live far from their designated homeland. God’s heart sympathizes with anyone in this situation. That’s why Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross to be the Way home for sinful mankind, including you and me.

2. Brothers and Sisters in Christ

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13 NLT)

When we look out for others in the family of God, we become instruments of His provision to fill needs. Just as importantly, we also exemplify God’s love to a watching world.

3. Unsaved People

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NLT)

Inviting people into relationship through biblical hospitality offers opportunities to spread the good news of Jesus to people who are lost in sin.