3rd John 5 BE HOSPITABLE It may be a phone call, an email or a knock on the door and you are suddenly faced with a situation that needs immediate action. Is this an opportunity or an irritation? Is it a potential privilege or a painful interruption? Whether we have given an invitation to a person to visit us or whether it is a surprise to us, whenever we have guests, the practice of hospitality reflects our reputation. This is one of the most effective ways we can demonstrate the love we have for Christ and His people.
What we value and consider important in our lives makes visible the value we place on the things of God. Hospitality is a visible, tangible expression of divine love seen through God's children. Are people mere objects that pass in front of me or are they of infinite worth? Are they inconveniences when they come into my home, or are they important to me as family members of the household of God? To Gaius it was a blessing to him to be a blessing to others. Hospitality was a habit in his home. We all have things in our lives that reflect our character. Hospitality in the home of Gaius was notable among travelers who stayed there on their way to their fields of service.
It is a fact that hospitality is a duty among God's people, but it can be a delightful duty or a grudging duty depending on where I place my true values. People are always more important than things. The costs of hospitality are real in time, labor and money, but the benefits far outweigh the expense and inconvenience. Our children may have to sleep two or more in a bed. Husband and wife may need to move to another room and sleep on a "blow-up" mattress, but the memories and friendship that result from showing hospitality are well worth the minor inconveniences. The fellowship, the interesting stories of far-away places and the impact of the Gospel on other people and cultures will remain in our hearts. We will be more personally involved in those laborers, people and places for which we pray as we learn more about the great harvest field of the world.
Our children are exposed to a large view of the world and the work of God through their parents’ habit of hospitality. People who live insular lives listen in wonder as our children tell their friends of visitors at their home from Africa, Latin America, Europe and other places in the world they only know about from geography books. "How do you know all these people?" they are asked. "They stayed at our house on their way to the s5 place where they are missionaries or where they are going to preach." When this comes from our children to their friends and their friends' family, it gives significance to our own children and their church and family life.
John again addresses Gaius as "beloved" as he commends him for his faithful hospitality toward travelers both known and unknown. The Christian life of faith is seen in its great value when there is no difference made between those we know well and those who are strangers as we sit at the same table, sharing the same meal and talking of our same Savior and our "common salvation." John writes with fatherly affection and brotherly love as he comments in plain, simple appreciative words regarding Gaius' on-going ministry of hospitality.
The writer of the book of Hebrews told the saints who read his epistle to "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Friendship and faithful stewardship go well together. Some of the Lord's people in a local assembly may be wondering, "Does anyone know I am here? Does anyone even care?" A little extra effort and a short amount of time can be a great blessing to those who have been shelved to a certain degree by illness, age or the death of a spouse.
We become partners in the work of the Lord with other servants of the Lord when we have preachers of the Gospel, itinerant teachers of the word and missionaries stay with us. They can give us far greater insight into their labors for the Lord when they are at our table then they can give in a "report meeting." Widows may feel abandoned after their spouse passes away. Their reputation remains though when they have been given to "good works." A widow who has raised her children, lodged strangers and served God's people in her service for the Lord should not be left without recognition. She applied herself to serving the saints locally - "washed the saints’ feet and relieved the afflicted." Now it is our turn to reciprocate.
Showing hospitality is never out of date. Young people need to feel accepted and there is no better place to show that than in your home. Older people living alone need comfort and assurance of their value to the Lord and His people. The best place to show that is in your home. Fellow laborers in an assembly need an opportunity and place to talk about things of common interest and concern. The best place to do that is at your table over a good meal. Visitors who are just passing through will often consider time spent at a hospitable home is one of the highlights of their journey. To provide a place of rest, fellowship and food for the Lord's people is a privilege when we do it in His name, for His glory and for their benefit.
At first, they were not sure, but then on second thought Both husband and wife agreed to do the best they could. They could sleep in the basement, and Jamie on a cot, And though they had nothing fancy, they had a lot of food.
The meal was over, the hours flew by, the children just sat and listened, To words of faith in a faithful God, and of people in distant lands. As the whole family were enthralled, warm tears in each eye glistened, As unfolding from God's servants, they spoke of those who gave helping hands.
It wasn't long until they were gone in their service for the Lord, In that hone where they stayed, prayers were made for those who came to visit, And at the family altar, it seemed new light shone on God's Word. Now there was a different look at life, and how God intends us to live it.
If we had not been willing to bring those strangers home We would have been in the same rut, and still with our life be bored. Now a difference is here to stay since those special visitors to us had come. Our life as a family has real meaning, and we too labor for the Lord.
"Father, when I think of all Thy people who have shown us hospitality, I am moved to thank Thee for them and pray for them. Those who have stayed with us have been a blessing to us. Those also from the local assembly seem to appreciate the fellowship at our table and get comfort and joy from being at our home. Thanks for giving us the privilege of opening our home and showing hospitality to those of Thy family. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."